Peri-operative NIRS Monitoring In Infants

Pre-operatively medical history will be collected along with baseline physiological data (Blood pressure, heart rate, date of birth, date of surgery, weight, gestational age at birth, gender, medical conditions, and medications). Given the importance of reliable blood pressure measurement- during the study, strict guidelines regarding proper blood pressure cuff placement and choice of cuff size will be followed. An upper extremity and the cuff index lines will be used to make sure that the cuff is appropriately sized. NIRS sensors will be applied pre-operatively in the operating room prior to induction of anesthesia. All NIRS values will be collected as blind values so as to not influence anesthetic management or clinical decisions. Intra-operatively the NIRS values will be blindly recorded, physiological data and details of the anesthesia (the conduct of all clinical monitoring, including blood pressure measurements and anesthesia will not be affected in any way by this study). No additional blood pressure or other measurements will be made. One week later the hospital record (for those infants still hospitalized) will be reviewed for evidence of new changes in neurological status (specifically seizures or other generalized or focal neurological deficits noted by the clinical team in the record and physical exam). For infants discharged home prior to one week after surgery, a phone call will be made to inquire about the occurrence of any events that required medical attention or treatment.