# Volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath of newborns: a pilot study

## TL;DR

This pilot study shows that breath samples from newborns can reveal differences in volatile organic compounds between preterm and full-term infants.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the feasibility of non-invasive VOC measurement in neonatal breath and identifies specific compounds differing between preterm and full-term infants.

## Key findings

- Twenty-two VOCs were consistently detected in breath samples from both preterm and full-term infants.
- Significant differences in VOC concentrations were observed between preterm and full-term infants for compounds like 2-propanol, acetaldehyde, and isoprene.
- The study suggests that VOC profiling in neonatal breath may help identify diseases and predict outcomes in the future.

## Abstract

To assess volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath samples collected non-invasively from preterm and full-term infants.

This was a pilot study included preterm and full-term infants who were not intubated or suspected or diagnosed with metabolic or gastrointestinal disorders. The samples were analyzed for VOCs using a selected-ion flow-tube mass spectrometer.

Twenty infants were included; ten preterm and ten full-term infants. Twenty-two VOCs were detected and measurable in all samples. There was a significant difference between preterm and full-term infants for the 2-propanol, acetaldehyde, acetone, acetonitrile, benzene, ethanol, isoprene, pentane, 3-methylhexane, 2-nonene, ethane, triethylamine, and trimethylamine compounds.

It is feasible to measure VOCs in breath samples of preterm and full-term non-intubated infants. Full-term infants express different concentrations than preterm infants. Further studies are needed to examine the utility and reproducibility of measuring VOCs to identify neonatal diseases and predict outcomes.