Defining oximetry and NIRS reference indices for preterm infants
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A longitudinal study to define reference ranges and change over time for oximetry and near infrared spectroscopy indices for preterm and term infants from 32 weeks corrected gestational age
IRAS ID
297747
Contact name
Hazel Evans
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
In the UK approximately 50,000 babies per year are born after 32 weeks some of whom require long term oxygen therapy. Increasingly decisions around stopping oxygen therapy are based on recordings using oxygen monitors, called oximeters, which are able to exclude artefact due to movement. These oximeters are able to detect brief dips in oxygen level. The impact of these dips on respiratory function and brain oxygenation is unknown, which increases the uncertainty on who should and shouldn’t receive supplemental oxygen.
Normative data using these oximeters is available for older children, and more recently for babies born at term and monitored at 1 month of age who are more susceptible to short pauses in breathing and thus brief falls in oxygen saturations. Preliminary data on preterm babies has shown that oxygen levels change rapidly over the first 5 weeks of postnatal life. In addition preterm babies demonstrate greater breathing instability. Therefore, reference ranges for term babies measured at 1 month of age may not be applicable to preterm babies and term babies in the first few weeks of life.
This study will collect data on oxygen saturations using modern oximeters for healthy preterm infants born after 32 weeks gestation and how this changes with time from birth over the first 5 weeks of life. We will use non-invasive techniques to gain more in depth monitoring of the impact of these on blood flow through the brain for babies. Data will also be collected on baby’s growth by taking regular measurements of weight, length and head circumference. Data will also be extracted from the baby’s clinical records regarding feeding, nutrition and blood tests.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
21/WA/0198
Date of REC Opinion
3 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion