Predicting sepsis on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Master thesis (2017)

Authors

Contributors

J. Dankelman (mentor)
T.G. Goos (mentor)
Programme
Biomechatronics (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2017 Mank, A.B.
Sepsis Heart rate variability Premature infant
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Published Date

27-03-2017

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Programme

Biomechatronics

Abstract

To reduce the mortality rate of sepsis, treatment needs to be started as soon as possible. One should however first be sure about the occurrence of sepsis. Currently, the suspicion of sepsis in premature infants is based on non-specific physiological changes. The detection of alterations in the inter-heartbeat interval preceding sepsis can offer a solution. The aim of this study was to design a predictive model which captures the relation between physiological changes and variability in the inter heart beat interval, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and the development of sepsis. A retrospective study was performed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Sophia Children’s Hospital from January 2016 to June 2016. The study focussed on very preterm infants, of Gestational Age (GA)