Background Volatile 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. Methods A 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). Results VOCs 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. Conclusion VOCs 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.

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挥发性有机化合物作为早产儿诊断工具的实用性

背景 挥发性有机化合物 (VOC) 是源自不同健康和患病组织的碳氢化合物。VOCs可以分泌到循环系统中，然后通过尿液和粪便排出体外。在肺部，VOC 是局部产生的，可以在呼出气中检测到。VOC 可以使用非侵入性技术进行识别，这使得它们在早产儿中的使用是安全和可取的。方法 系统搜索 PubMed、Embase 和 Web of Science 中的文献，寻找早产儿的 VOC 技术和诊断性能。根据系统评价和元分析的首选报告项目 (PRISMA)，共有 50 篇文章被确定为只有 7 篇论文被纳入最终分析。结果 VOCs 可在临床诊断前 4 天诊断坏死性小肠结肠炎；对于迟发性败血症，最多 3 天前；对于支气管肺发育不良，最多 2 周前。除了这些诊断用途之外，VOC 分析还可以区分出生后第一个月母乳喂养和配方奶喂养的早产新生儿。结论 VOCs 分析是一种非侵入性工具，可优先用于早产儿。VOCs 分析技术需要更多的研究和研究人员之间的共识来克服其局限性。影响 挥发性有机化合物是可以区分早产儿健康和疾病状态的碳氢化合物。由挥发性有机化合物开发的生物标志物面板是潜在的诊断工具。获取挥发性有机化合物标记物的非侵入性特性使其在儿科患者中很受欢迎。研究挥发性有机化合物的确切化学成分可以了解早产儿疾病的病理生理学。在将挥发性有机化合物应用于临床实践之前，需要通过重复实验进行更稳健的纵向研究。