Application and research progress of near infrared spectroscopy in critically ill neonates

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive and reliable technique for real-time monitoring of tissue oxygen saturation. Monitoring of multi-site brain and somatic oxygen saturation in intensive care unit can evaluate local tissue oxygenation and organ perfusion in critically ill newborns. Firstly, this paper briefly introduces the development history, basic principle and monitoring position of NIRS technology. Secondly, this paper discusses the development and application of NIRS technology in neonatal critical diseases such as complex congenital heart disease, neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, apnea and arrhythmia, neonatal periventricular/intraventricular hemorrhage, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, neonatal acute kidney injury, erythrocyte infusion in premature infants, etc. Finally, the future application of NIRS technology is briefly discussed. NIRS technique was initially used to monitor brain oxygen saturation after neonatal brain injury and cardiac surgery to assess brain oxygenation and perfusion, early detect neonatal brain injury and related complications after cardiac surgery thus early intervention. NIRS technology is now involved in all areas of the newborn, by monitoring oxygen saturation in different parts of the brain, kidney, intestine, liver, targeted prediction of related diseases, judging the severity of the disease and the feasibility of surgery, so as to reduce the incidence and mortality of the disease and improve the prognosis and quality of life of newborns. In the future, we need to carry out more studies in different parts and different ages of neonates, to promote the early diagnosis and treatment of other neonatal diseases, such as very low birth weight infants feeding intolerance neonatal low cardiac output syndrome after cardiopulmonary bypass, shorten the process of neonatal feeding, and protect cardiopulmonary function.