Abstract
Background: Orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) imaging is a novel method to examine the microcirculation non-invasively.
Methods: Red blood cell velocity (RBC vel), vessel diameter (Diam) and functional capillary density (FCD) were measured daily in the first month of life on the upper arm in neonates with gestational age less than 30 weeks. OPS images were recorded on videotape and analysed off-line with the CapiScope program.
Results: In 25 preterm infants (median (95% CI): gestational age of 28 (26.18–27.58) weeks; birth weight 900 (807.9–992.8) g) Diam ranged from 7 to 24 μm, RBC vel from 171.8 to 726.3 μm/s with no significant change. RBC vel correlated with hemoglobin levels (r2 = 0.25, 95% CI (0.14–0.74), p = 0.0083) and inversely with mean systolic blood pressure (r2 = 0.36, 95% CI (-0.8 to -0.29), p = 0.0009). FCD decreased significantly from day 7 (mean 236.4 μm/s; 95% CI 218.5–254.2) to day 28 (mean 206.9 μm/s; 95% CI 190–223.3; p = 0.0028). FCD correlated directly with hemoglobin levels (r2 = 0.58, 95% CI (0.54–0.89), p < 0.001). There was an inverse correlation between FCD and heart rate (r2 = 0.39, 95% CI (-0.8 to -0.32), p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (r2 = 0.32, 95% CI (-0.78 to -0.24), p = 0.0021). Clinical variables, such as blood pressure, heart rate or body temperature did not change significantly. Hemoglobin decreased significantly over time (p < 0.0001), which explains the concurrent decrease in FCD. Preterm neonates from 23 to 26 and from 28 to 30 weeks did not differ in RBC, Diam and FCD.
Conclusion: We have shown that tissue perfusion can be monitored reliably by OPS imaging in premature infants in the first month of life.
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Kroth, J., Weidlich, K., Hiedl, S. et al. 412 Functional Capillary Density in the First Month of Life in Preterm Neonates. Pediatr Res 58, 425 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00441
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00441