Noninvasive Neuromonitoring in Children

Abstract

The term "neuromonitoring" denotes several methods that are used to monitor the state of the central nervous system. It is mainly used in intensive care units to mitigate the limitations of the clinical neurological examination, which arise in the context of critical illness, sedation, and neuromuscular blockade. In the pediatric intensive care units, neuromonitoring methods are increasingly used across all age groups. This article aims to give an overview of the four most frequently used technical noninvasive neuromonitoring modalities (electroencephalogram, near-infrared spectroscopy, transcranial Doppler, and automated pupillometry) and the evidence for their use in three clinical scenarios: seizures, increased intracranial pressure, and stroke.