Patterns of Volatile Organic Compounds in Excrements of Preterm Neonates Detected by Ion Mobility Spectrometry Coupled to Multi-Capillary Columns

Background: As neonates are susceptible for many diseases, establishing non-invasive diagnostic methods is desirable. We hypothesized that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could be successfully measured in diaper samples. Methods We performed a feasibility study to investigate whether ambient air-independent headspace measurements of the VOC profiles of diapers from premature infants can be conducted using ion mobility spectrometer coupled with multi-capillary columns (B & S Analytik GmbH, Dortmund, Germany). Results We analyzed 39 diapers filled with stool (n = 10) or urine (n = 20) respectively, using empty diapers as a control (n = 9). A total of 158 different VOCs were identified, and we classified the content of the diapers (urine or stool) according to their VOC profiles with a significance level of p < 0.05. Discussion We have developed a novel method to study headspace VOC profiles of biosamples using ion mobility spectrometry coupled with multi-capillary columns. Using this method, we have characterized the VOC profiles of stool and urine of preterm neonates. Future studies are warranted to characterize specific VOC profiles in infections and other diseases of the preterm neonate, thus establishing quick and non-invasive diagnostics in the routine care of the highly vulnerable preterm and term neonates.