Pediatric research
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Approximately 1.5 million neonates receive general anesthesia each year for a surgical procedure. Despite this being an essential practice, a number of recent studies now indicate that anesthetic exposure could cause toxicity and neuronal apoptosis in the developing brain. This could potentially influence long-term neurodevelopmental outcome, especially premature infants in need of multiple surgical procedures. ⋯ However, only three drugs routinely used as anesthetic agents in newborn infants have had any updated labeling (none in very premature infants). This "off-label" use without adequate testing must be addressed. Therefore, more clinical trials of common anesthetic agents used alone and in combination in neonates are urgently needed.
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Real-time detection and classification of apneic episodes remain significant challenges. This study explores the applicability of a novel method of monitoring the respiratory effort and dynamics for rapid detection and classification of apneic episodes. ⋯ Noninvasive monitoring of chest wall dynamics enables detection and classification of central and obstructive apneic episodes, which tightly correlates with the EP.