Changes in cerebral hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation immediately after birth in the human neonate using full-spectrum near infrared spectroscopy

Using full-spectrum near infrared spectroscopy (fsNIRS), we measured changes in oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin and Hb), total hemoglobin (T-Hb) concentration, and hemoglobin oxygen saturation in the brain tissue of seven neonates immediately following birth. It was found that rose rapidly within 2-3 min after birth. During the same time, there was a transient increase in T-Hb concentration, after which it decreased together with Hb. increased rapidly after birth, from 18 at 1.5 min to about 55 at 5-6 min, followed by a gradual increase of about 10 . Oxygenation in the brain occurred much sooner in three subjects given oxygen for a short time immediately after birth than in those who did not receive oxygen. This preliminary study indicated that dynamic changes occur in cerebral circulation and oxygenation as part of the physiological changes taking place soon after birth. ©