Long-term respiration monitoring in infants-a comparison of impedance and pressure capsule monitors

Limitations of thoracic impedance monitoring for central apnoea detection in preterm infants

“…2,4,5 In keeping with previous studies, we found that IM often failed to detect apnoeic events, including those associated with bradycardia and/or hypoxaemia. 2,4,5 Unlike Railton et al, 5 when comparing IM against capsule pneumography apnoea detection, we found that IM did result in FP alarms which are often associated with shallow breathing. This disparity may be attributable to our larger sample of preterm infants of earlier birth gestation and monitoring over an extended continuous study period.…”

Monitoring Regional Lung Ventilation by Functional Electrical Impedance Tomography during Assisted Ventilationa

“…Measurement of bioelectrical impedance is currently being used in several medical applications. In infants, impedance techniques have been applied to determine total body water (e.g., references 10 and 11), cardiac output (e.g., references 12 and 13), gastric emptying or gastroesophageal reflux, 14,15 as well as breath amplitude and respiratory rate (e.g., references 16‐18). EIT, which in contrast with the previously mentioned applications offers the new possibility to determine the distribution of impedance within studied parts of the body, has only seldom been applied in children.…”

Comparative Review of Techniques for Recording Respiratory Events at Rest and during Deglutition

“…Railton et al [17] compared the clinical use of impedance monitors with Graseby bulb monitors in relation to infant resting respiration, and Upton et al [20] detected respiratory apneas by simultaneous recording from thoracic impedance and from abdominal RIP measurements. In both studies there was a discrepancy between the respiratory information provided: in the former study there were intervals when no respiratory information was available from either transducer, whereas in the latter, out of a total of 946 apneas recorded, both transducers agreed for only 651.…”

“…This technique provides an accurate indication of the event and rate of ventilation; however, it is less accurate as an indicator of volume measurement. Reported artefacts include movement and cardiac interference (especially when brachycardia occurs) [17]. More important for feeding studies is that detection of obstructive apnea is apparently difficult [17].…”

“…Reported artefacts include movement and cardiac interference (especially when brachycardia occurs) [17]. More important for feeding studies is that detection of obstructive apnea is apparently difficult [17]. For such studies, this method is cumbersome to apply and in dysphagic subjects it is often useful to detect and distinguish any apnea associated with the feeding problem.…”