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. 2014 Mar;34(3):234-40.
doi: 10.1038/jp.2013.159. Epub 2014 Jan 9.

Telemedicine for genetic and neurologic evaluation in the neonatal intensive care unit

T L Wenger  1 , J Gerdes  2 , K Taub  3 , D T Swarr  4 , M A Deardorff  5 , N S Abend  3
Affiliations

Telemedicine for genetic and neurologic evaluation in the neonatal intensive care unit

T L Wenger et al. J Perinatol. 2014 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate whether telemedicine can be used to perform dysmorphology and neurologic examinations in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by determining the examination accuracy, limitations and optimized procedures.

Study design: Prospective evaluation of NICU patients referred for subspecialty consultation for dysmorphic features (n=10) or encephalopathy (n=10). A physician at bedside (bedside clinician) performed an in-person examination that was viewed in real time by a remote physician (remote consultant). Standardized examinations were recorded and compared. Subsequently, a qualitative approach established technique adjustments and optimization procedures necessary to improve visualization.

Result: Telemedicine examinations identified 81 of 87 (93%) dysmorphology examination abnormalities and 37 of 39 (92%) neurologic examination abnormalities. Optimization of remote consultant visualization required an active bedside clinician assisting in camera and patient adjustments.

Conclusion: Telemedicine can be used to perform accurately many components of the dysmorphology or neurologic examinations in NICU patients, but physicians must be mindful of specific limitations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

The authors have no competing financial interests in relation to the work described, and no other conflicts of interest to report.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic of study design.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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