Advancing neonatal care: A non-invasive, contactless method for early diagnosis of neurological disorders.

Neonatal encephalopathy in premature infants resulting from perinatal brain damage is one of the leading causes of long-term disability, particularly cerebral palsy. Early diagnosis is crucial, as timely intervention can improve outcomes and quality of life. The early identification of cerebral palsy resulting from perinatal brain injury in premature infants remains challenging, as it is difficult to distinguish between transient developmental delays and permanent neurological deficits within the first three years of life. Metabolite-based diagnostics may help bridge this gap. In this study, infrared spectroscopy of exhaled breath from 71 neonates was used to identify metabolites potentially associated with specific physiological and neurological conditions. Spectral features consistent with propionic acid esters and methyl butyrate were detected, both of which show correlations with possible physiological and neurological conditions.