How to Evaluate Slow Oxygenation Changes to Estimate Absolute Cerebral Haemoglobin Concentration by Near Infrared Spectrophotometry in Neonates

Brain injury is a major cause of long-term disability in newborn infants. Disturbed cerebral haemodynamics and oxygen supply may be important etiological factors, and these are currently investigated. Near infrared spectrophotometry (NIRS) in combination with pulse oxymetry is widely used to determine cerebral blood volume (CBV) in neonates. In a similar, but simpler way cerebral haemoglobin concentration (CHC), which is more relevant for cerebral oxygenation, can be obtained from the same measurements.