| Title: | Utility of volatile organic compounds as a diagnostic tool in preterm infants |
| Author(s): | Wright H; Bannaga AS; Iriarte R; Mahmoud M; Arasaradnam RP; |
| Address: | "Warwick Medical School, Warwick University, Coventry, UK. University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry, UK. Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK. Warwick Medical School, Warwick University, Coventry, UK. r.arasaradnam@warwick.ac.uk. University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry, UK. r.arasaradnam@warwick.ac.uk. Applied Health Sciences, University of Coventry, Coventry, UK. r.arasaradnam@warwick.ac.uk. School of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. r.arasaradnam@warwick.ac.uk" |
| DOI: | 10.1038/s41390-020-0828-3 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1530-0447 (Electronic) 0031-3998 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are hydrocarbons that originate within different healthy and diseased tissues. VOCs can be secreted into the circulation and then excreted in the urine and faeces. In the lungs, VOCs are locally produced and can be detected in exhaled breath. VOCs can be identified using non-invasive techniques, which make their use in preterm infants safe and desirable. METHODS: A systematic search of the literature in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science was conducted looking for VOCs techniques and diagnostic performance in preterm infants. A total of 50 articles identified with only seven papers were included in the final analysis in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). RESULTS: VOCs could diagnose necrotising enterocolitis up to 4 days before a clinical diagnosis; for late onset sepsis, up to 3 days before; and for bronchopulmonary dysplasia, up to 2 weeks before. In addition to these diagnostic uses, VOCs analysis could also distinguish breastfed from formula-fed preterm neonates in the first month of life. CONCLUSION: VOCs analysis is a non-invasive tool that makes the use in preterm infants of preference. VOCs analytic techniques require more research and consensus between researchers to overcome their limitations. IMPACT: Volatile organic compounds are hydrocarbons that can separate between healthy and diseased states in preterm infants. Biomarker panels developed from volatile organic compounds are potential diagnostic tools. The non-invasive nature of acquiring volatile organic compounds markers make it desirable in the paediatric patients. Research into exact chemical components of the volatile organic compounds can inform about the pathophysiology of disease in preterm infants. More robust longitudinal studies with repeated experiments are required before volatile organic compounds can be applied in clinical practice" |
| Keywords: | "Biomarkers/metabolism Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/*diagnosis/metabolism/physiopathology/therapy Early Diagnosis Enterocolitis, Necrotizing/*diagnosis/metabolism/physiopathology/therapy Exhalation Gestational Age Humans Infant, Newborn Infant, Premature/*me;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineWright, Harriet Bannaga, Ayman S Iriarte, Rolland Mahmoud, Mshail Arasaradnam, Ramesh P eng Systematic Review 2020/03/03 Pediatr Res. 2021 Jan; 89(2):263-268. doi: 10.1038/s41390-020-0828-3. Epub 2020 Mar 2" |
