NNeMo (Neonatal NeuroMonitor): a non-invasive brain monitor for continuous acquisition of cerebral blood flow and cytochrome c oxidase in the premature brain

The premature brain embodies an underdeveloped vascular system, which can lead to poor cerebral blood flow (CBF), impaired metabolism, and subsequent brain injury. NNeMo (Neonatal NeuroMonitor) is an in-house built brain monitor that provides continuous and simultaneous measurements of CBF, tissue saturation (StO2), and metabolism. Nine premature infants were monitored for 6 h on day 1 and 3 of life. An oscillatory signal was observed in CBF and StO2 which diminished by day 3; metabolic response was not impacted by minor fluctuations in perfusion. Hemodynamic neuromonitoring could aid in predicting the onset of cerebral hemorrhaging or gauging brain injury severity.