Body size measuring techniques enabling stress-free growth monitoring of extreme preterm infants inside incubators: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction Growth monitoring of preterm infants is essential for assessing the nutritional effects on their growth. The current growth monitoring techniques are too stressful, however, for the smallest preterm infants. We performed a systematic review to summarize studies on stress-free techniques for measuring the body size of preterm infants inside incubators other than the traditional calliper and tape measure-based instruments. Methods We searched four online literature databases: Embase, Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane, using search terms related to patients (neonates, infants, children) and body size measuring techniques. By means of expert judgement we assessed the techniques’ suitability for stress-free body size measurement of an infant lying in an incubator. As a criterion for suitability, we used an imaginary ideal technique. Results Twenty-six studies were included in this review. In 24 studies, the technique for body size measurement was related to 3D technology, and the majority of these studies acknowledged clinical superiority of 3D over 2D data. Two 3D techniques were assessed as suitable for stress-free measurement of preterm infants inside incubators. The first technique used a commercially available 3D handheld scanner which needed 3D postprocessing to derive measurement data. The second technique used a self-developed stereoscopic vision system. Conclusions 3D volumetric parameters have higher clinical value for growth monitoring than 2D. In addition, contactless 3D measurements enable stress-free growth monitoring of even the smallest preterm infants. However, the time-consuming 3D postprocessing challenges the usability of 3D techniques. Regrettably, none of the identified suitable 3D techniques met all our requirements of an ideal all-in-one body size measuring technique for extreme preterm infants. Handheld 3D scanning might have the best properties for developing this ideal technique.

Portable digital devices for paediatric height and length measurement: A scoping review and target product profile matching analysis

“…Recent reviews looking at portable, digital measurement technology for neonates, infants and children have reported similar results. A systematic review by Van Gils et al looked at portable, digital technology for stress-free growth monitoring in preterm infants [ 39 ]. Like our review, they found that novel digital technologies show high promise, yet current devices need ongoing refinements and improvements in order to meet gold standard requirements, especially within clinical contexts.…”

EBNEO commentary: Early human milk fortification in infants born extremely preterm: A randomised trial

“…To answer this question, it will be important to evaluate other real‐time measures of body composition that link the intervention more closely with the desired outcome. Novel bedside measures will also help overcome the limitations currently present with air‐displacement plethysmography (ADP), specifically the inability to obtain measures in the more ill infants 3 …”

“…Novel bedside measures will also help overcome the limitations currently present with airdisplacement plethysmography (ADP), specifically the inability to obtain measures in the more ill infants. 3 The lack of comparison to bovine HMF in this study was a missed opportunity and will be an important aspect to consider in future studies. Convincing data to support the use of one fortifier over another © 2024 Foundation Acta Paediatrica.…”