From: Non-invasive sensor methods used in monitoring newborn babies after birth, a clinical perspective
Name (References) | Skin contact (SC) Non-Contact (NC) | Method | Limitations | Advantages |
---|---|---|---|---|
SC | Optical measurement of the back reflected transmitted light incident on a photodiode to detect variation in blood volume | • Sensor displacement • Motion artefacts • Studies only on stable newborns not in need of resuscitation | • Forehead perfusion better than peripheries • Easier placement of sensors • Less interference with resuscitation | |
SC | Light skin contact potential sensing | • Influence of environmental factors was not determined • Most studies on stable term babies not in resuscitation condition • Small sample size | • Quick to be placed and display the HR measurement • Easy to use • No need of skin preparation • Placement on upper abdomen should not interfere with chest compressions • Reported high correlation with reference conventional ECG monitor • Not influenced by motion • Suitable device for HR monitoring in both high- and low resource settings | |
SC | Detection of blood flow velocity through reflectance measurement of ultrasound | • Additional staff required to perform reading • Interference with resuscitation efforts • Not tested on preterm babies | • Whole team can hear heart rate • ECG does not always imply cardiac output whereas audible Doppler sounds do. • Quick takes 3 s and more accurate than auscultation and palpation HR • Equipment readily available in childbirth facilities in primary care • No financial implications | |
SC | Digital recording & analysis of the acoustic waves of the heart | • Loss of sensor contact with precordium • Environmental noise | • Accuracy of DS HR is greater than chest auscultation and umbilical cord palpation | |
NC | Video recording of skin to detect blood volume changes | • Motion artefact • Poor illumination • Not tested in low light environment | • Not affected by high frequency oscillation ventilation, gentle rocking movement • Non-obtrusive no discomfort, stress, pain, or epidermal stripping • No interference with X-rays • No impact on parent-child bonding | |
NC | Non-contact electric potential sensing of the ECG | • Susceptible to power line interference • Movement artefacts | • Reduce the likelihood of irritation, allergy, or discomfort • Increased comfort • It has promise for introduction to bedding | |
Piezoceramic sensors [51] | NC | Measurement of heart vibration through the piezoceramic effect | • Limited study to a single subject • Susceptibility to movement artefacts | • Non-contact so reduces the risk of skin disorders • No restriction of babies’ movement • Decreased mechanical and painful stimuli |
NC | Optical based technique used to record the doppler frequency shift of a laser beam scattered from the chest wall through an interferometric based measurement | • Size • Complexity • Cost of equipment | • No contact • Continuous monitoring • Can be used in MRI • Reduced biohazards and risk of contamination • Reports simultaneously HR and RR • Can be used for prolonged monitoring |