Cerebral Near-Infrared Spectroscopy during Transition of Healthy Term Newborns

Background: Values of regional cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (cStO₂) have been described during transition of term and preterm infants after birth. However, use of different devices precludes comparison of measurements. Objective: To measure cStO₂ during transition of term infants using a calibrated 4-wavelength laser light source near-infrared spectroscopy oximeter (FORE-SIGHT) to obtain data that allow comparison with cStO₂ of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants using this oximeter and with cStO₂ of term infants using different oximeters. Methods:cStO₂ (FORE-SIGHT oximeter), preductal arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate were measured in 46 healthy term infants (n = 20 spontaneous delivery, n = 22 caesarean section, n = 4 assisted vaginal delivery) during the first 10 min after delivery. Results: The median (interquartile range) cStO₂ at 2 min after birth was 42% (39-46) after spontaneous delivery, 42% (30-52) after caesarean section and 36% (20-53) after assisted vaginal delivery (no difference between groups). In association with increasing arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate, cStO₂ increased continuously and reached a steady state approximately 8 min after birth of 62-77% (interquartile range) in all three groups. Conclusions: Healthy term newborns had similar cStO₂ changes from 2 min after birth regardless of the mode of delivery. cStO₂ of healthy term infants was lower than cStO₂ of VLBW infants during transition. cStO₂ values as measured by the FORE-SIGHT oximeter seem in the range of values as measured by the NIRO 300 oximeter. They were lower than values as measured by the INVOS 5100 oximeter.