Light-based technique provides life-saving information in newborns

Sometimes during birth, blood supply to parts of a baby’s brain can get cut off and stop it from working properly.

Many babies make a full recovery but more than half will develop cerebral palsy or other brain and behavioural problems. More than one in ten will die.
 
Detecting and monitoring damaged brain areas is vital. But, currently, there’s no way to get detailed information about brain function at the cot in a neonatal intensive care unit.
 
Dr Ilias Tachtsidis (UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering) is leading a team who are developing a new light-based technique to diagnose and monitor brain injury in newborns. The safe, non-invasive method involves shining light through the brain and detecting it with a sensitive digital camera. This reveals oxygen and metabolism levels – providing vital and potentially life-saving information for doctors.
 

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