Silvina L. Ferradal1, Steve M. Liao2, Adam T. Eggebrecht3, Terrie E. Inder2, Joseph P. Culver3
1Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, United States; 2Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, United States; 3Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, United States
Adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants are still a clinical concern. Resting-state functional connectivity methods provide an approach to detect functional deficits in the neonatal brain. DOT provides a portable alternative for studying brain function at the bedside. Having previously developed fcDOT methods in adults, we apply these techniques for studying functional connectivity in hospitalized infants. Herein, we present fcDOT maps obtained for 6 healthy term-equivalent premature infants. Our results represent the first steps towards establishing a normative data set for fcDOT and serve as a basis to establish fcDOT as a bedside tool to monitor infant brain function.
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