Future perspectives of heart rate and oxygenation monitoring in the neonatal intensive care unit - a narrative review.

Abstract

Purpose: Vital sign monitoring plays a pivotal role in assessing and managing the clinical condition of vulnerable newborn infants in the delivery room and in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with advancements in technology over the last years paving the way for newer and less invasive monitoring techniques.

Methods: We conducted a narrative review of the literature in PubMed, Embase, GoogleScholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov. to describe newer technologies in neonatal monitoring of heart rate and oxygen saturation including secondary data-use, focusing also on promising studies which are currently underway.

Results: Innovations such as photoplethysmography, wireless skin sensors, spectroscopy and tremolo sonification can provide a continuous and comprehensive assessment of neonatal vital sign monitoring, including heart rate and oxygen saturations, allowing for the enhancement of early detection of potential complications. Moreover advanced mathematical models, such as heart rate characteristic variability and closed loop automated systems, have shown promise in processing and storing vast amounts of data, aiding in the early prediction of adverse clinical outcomes, supporting decision-making and guiding the development of future studies.

Conclusion: As the field of vital sign monitoring in the NICU continues to evolve, it is essential to address challenges related to novel modalities, data privacy, algorithm accuracy, and seamless integration into existing healthcare systems. By harnessing the potential of innovative technologies, the future of vital sign monitoring in the NICU promises improved neonatal outcomes, enhanced healthcare delivery and facilitation of individualisation of care.