Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32120380›Full record

SynthesisPediatric research2021

Utility of volatile organic compounds as a diagnostic tool in preterm infants.

Harriet Wright, Ayman S Bannaga, Rolland Iriarte, Mshail Mahmoud, Ramesh P Arasaradnam

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Pediatric research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.1field-weighted citation impact, top 25% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 19 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Harriet WrightWarwick Medical School, Warwick University, Coventry, UK.
Ayman S BannagaWarwick Medical School, Warwick University, Coventry, UK.
Rolland IriarteUniversity Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry, UK.
Mshail MahmoudHeartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Ramesh P ArasaradnamWarwick Medical School, Warwick University, Coventry, UK. r.arasaradnam@warwick.ac.uk.
University Hospital Coventry · GBUniversity of Warwick · GBHeartlands Hospital · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are hydrocarbons that originate within different healthy and diseased tissues. VOCs can be secreted into the circulation and then excreted in the urine and faeces. In the lungs, VOCs are locally produced and can be detected in exhaled breath. VOCs can be identified using non-invasive techniques, which make their use in preterm infants safe and desirable.

methodsA systematic search of the literature in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science was conducted looking for VOCs techniques and diagnostic performance in preterm infants. A total of 50 articles identified with only seven papers were included in the final analysis in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).

resultsVOCs could diagnose necrotising enterocolitis up to 4 days before a clinical diagnosis; for late onset sepsis, up to 3 days before; and for bronchopulmonary dysplasia, up to 2 weeks before. In addition to these diagnostic uses, VOCs analysis could also distinguish breastfed from formula-fed preterm neonates in the first month of life.

conclusionVOCs analysis is a non-invasive tool that makes the use in preterm infants of preference. VOCs analytic techniques require more research and consensus between researchers to overcome their limitations. IMPACT: Volatile organic compounds are hydrocarbons that can separate between healthy and diseased states in preterm infants. Biomarker panels developed from volatile organic compounds are potential diagnostic tools. The non-invasive nature of acquiring volatile organic compounds markers make it desirable in the paediatric patients. Research into exact chemical components of the volatile organic compounds can inform about the pathophysiology of disease in preterm infants. More robust longitudinal studies with repeated experiments are required before volatile organic compounds can be applied in clinical practice.

Indexed as

Premature BirthBiomarkersBronchopulmonary DysplasiaEarly DiagnosisEnterocolitis, NecrotizingExhalationGestational AgeHumansInfant, NewbornInfant, PrematureLungNeonatal SepsisPredictive Value of TestsPrognosisVolatile Organic CompoundsBiomarkersVolatile Organic Compounds

Identifiers

PMID32120380
OpenAlexW3012490586

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.