NIRS cerebral patterns in healthy late preterm and term infants are gender‐ and gestational age‐dependent

Abstract

Aim: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been proposed to provide reliable information concerning brain oximetry and tissue activation level in the perinatal period. We aimed to investigate whether NIRS brain patterns in healthy preterm (PT) and term (T) infants were gender-and gestational age (GA)-dependent. Methods:We conducted an observational study in 74 newborns, from consecutive singleton pregnancies, of whom 37 were born at term (male: n = 19 female: n = 18) and 37 (male: n = 18 female: n = 19) were PT. Cerebral oximetry (crSO 2 ) and fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE), were recorded on the 5th day from birth.Results: crSO 2 was significantly higher and cFTOE lower (p < 0.001, for both) in the PT female than male group. At term, crSO 2 was significantly higher and cFTOE lower (p < 0.001, for both) in males. crSO 2 (male: R = 0.84, p < 0.001; female: R = 0.74, p < 0.001) and cFTOE (male: R = 0.72, p < 0.001; female: R = 0.72, p < 0.001) in male and female groups correlated positively with GA at recording. Conclusion: Different brain oximetry between males and females in PT a T infants, maysuggest that in the perinatal period brain development is gender-and time-dependent. Data support the use of NIRS as a feasible tool for non-invasive cerebral monitoring.Brain development is gender and gestational agedependent. Brain development in the late preterm period is more precocious in females than in males. Results offer further support to the concept of the higher preterm male infants vulnerability as confirmed by higher incidences of prematurity and of brain and multi-organ failure.1036

Influence of enteral feeding and anemia on tissue oxygen extraction after red blood cell transfusion in preterm infants

“…27 Gestational age and sex were selected a priori for inclusion in the multivariable models as confounding variables based on prior knowledge, causal diagrams, and available data. [28][29][30] Adjusted GEE models with an exposuretime interaction were also fitted to assess whether outcome trajectories over time differed by exposure status. Statistical significance was assessed at the 0.05 alpha level, and all analyses were conducted in the R statistical computing framework, version 3.5.1.…”

“…Finally, generalized estimating equation (GEE) models—accounting for within‐subject measurements using a first‐order autoregressive correlation structure—were used to estimate the association and corresponding 95% robust confidence intervals between exposure and outcome variables, with adjustment for gestational age (in weeks), sex, and hour of transfusion . Gestational age and sex were selected a priori for inclusion in the multivariable models as confounding variables based on prior knowledge, causal diagrams, and available data . Adjusted GEE models with an exposure‐time interaction were also fitted to assess whether outcome trajectories over time differed by exposure status.…”

Nasal high‐frequency percussive ventilation vs nasal continuous positive airway pressure in newborn infants respiratory distress: A cross over clinical trial

“…25,26 Previous studies in newborns have analyzed rScO 2 within a range of 5 to 10 minutes periods to assess cerebral autoregulation. 26,27 Our crossover design limits bias caused by interindividual variations in rScO 2 attributable to gender, gestational age 28…”

“…25,26 Previous studies in newborns have analyzed rScO 2 within a range of 5 to 10 minutes periods to assess cerebral autoregulation. 26,27 Our crossover design limits bias caused by interindividual variations in rScO 2 attributable to gender, gestational age 28 or to the seriousness and cause of respiratory distress. The rScO 2 values were blindly recorded to avoid modification of the ventilator settings based on such values.…”