Monitoring the respiratory rate of preterm infants using an ultrathin film sensor embedded in the bedding: a comparative feasibility study

Objective: To determine the feasibility of unobtrusively monitoring the respiratory rate (RR) in preterm infants by using a film-like pressure sensor placed between the mattress and the bedding. Approach: The RR was simultaneously measured by processing the chest impedance (CI) and the ballistographic (BSG) signal acquired from the pressure sensor in 10 preterm infants of varying body weight. Nearly 27 h of data were analyzed from these infants while in different body positions including both spontaneously breathing infants and those receiving non-invasive respiratory support. Main results: The RR acquired from the BSG signal (RR-BSG) was significantly correlated (r = 0.74) to the RR derived from the CI (RR-CI) with narrow 95% limits of agreement (10 breaths min(-1)). A subanalysis of epochs most and least affected by infant movement yielded comparable results. Significance: Irrespective of body weight or infant position, unobtrusively monitoring the RR of preterm infants is feasible using film-like pressure sensors.