An Observational Study of Peripheral Muscle Oxygenation Using NIRS in a Cohort of Nourished and Malnourished Children with Pneumonia

Malnutrition is estimated to contribute to more than one third of all child deaths around the world especially in middle and low-income countries. Children affected by malnutrition are at 15-fold higher risk of mortality from pneumonia [1]. Pneumonia typical clinical signs may not be reliable in severe malnourished child due to an abnormal inflammatory response and severe muscle wasting and weakness [2]. Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive optical technology used in clinical settings to measure changes in tissue oxygenation and hemodynamics that has demonstrated good prognostic capability in patients with sepsis [3]. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether measurements of peripheral oxygen tissue saturation index (TSI) using a NIRS device could provide an objective measure of a child’s systemic effects of pneumonia and allow identification of those who are at increased risk of dying from pneumonia.