Am J Perinatol 2010; 27(6): 463-468
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1247600
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Noninvasive Monitoring of Placental Oxygenation by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Jun Kakogawa1 , Kazuhiro Sumimoto2 , Takakazu Kawamura3 , Shigeki Minoura1 , Naohiro Kanayama3
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Medical Center of Japan, Shinjuku, Japan
  • 2Kawasaki City College of Nursing, Kawasaki, Japan
  • 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
29 January 2010 (online)

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the clinical usefulness of near-infrared spectroscopic quantitative measurement of placental oxygenation for the noninvasive estimation of uteroplacental function in pregnant women. We performed a prospective, observational clinical study. Women without complications (n = 15), women with threatened preterm delivery (TPD; n = 6), and women with intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR; n = 6) were enrolled. Measurements of placental tissue oxygenation index (TOI) using the NIRO-300 (Hamamatsu Photonics, Hamamatsu City, Japan) were recorded. Mean TOI was 72.3 ± 5.3% in women without complications, 72.9 ± 5.6% in pregnant women with TPD, and 78.7 ± 3.0% in pregnant women with IUGR. Mean TOI in pregnant women with IUGR was significantly higher than that of the other two groups (p < 0.05). In the IUGR group, although gestational age at measurement on admission was less than that made during hospitalization (p < 0.05), there were no differences in the TOI in relation to gestational age at measurement. Higher TOIs in pregnant women suggest decreased placental function. Monitoring the TOI by near-infrared spectroscopic quantitative measurement may have a high potential for clinical application, particularly in prenatal management.

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Jun KakogawaM.D. Ph.D. 

1-21-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan 162-8655

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Medical Center of Japan

Email: jkakogaw@imcj.hosp.go.jp

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