Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Monitor Nutritional Status of Neonates: A Review

The World Health Organization reported that half or more of all under five deaths were caused by under-nutrition in developing countries, with the majority of these deaths occurring in the first week of life. Even if the under-nourished neonates manage to survive, they are exposed to long-term health impacts, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Along with those health-impacts they can be exposed to risks related to detrimental early development, such as physical impairment, stunting, brain dysfunction, and reduced cognitive development. Body fat percentage has been recognized to be closely associated with under-nutrition in neonates. In this article, the potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), along with previous methods to measure body fat in neonates, is reviewed and discussed.