Cerebral hemodynamics during arousals in preterm infants

Aims: To evaluate potential changes of cerebral blood volume related to arousals in preterm infants. Methods: Polygraphic recordings were performed in 38 preterm infants (18 female, 20 male). The infants' gestational age at birth was 32.0±2.3 weeks, postconceptional age was 35.1±1.2 weeks and postnatal age at study entry was 24.3±2.9 days, birth weight was 1793±527g and actual weight at study entry was 2011±324g [mean (±standard deviation)]. Cerebral blood volume (CBV) was measured using near infrared spectroscopy. Arousals were scored due to the guidelines of the International Paediatric Work Group on Arousals…