Non-contact respiratory rate monitoring using thermal and visible imaging: a pilot study on neonates.

Respiratory rate (RR) monitoring is essential in neonatal intensive care units. Despite its importance, RR is still monitored intermittently by manual counting instead of continuous monitoring due to the risk of skin damage with prolonged use of contact electrodes in preterm neonates and false signals due to displacement of electrodes. Thermal imaging has recently gained significance as a non-contact method for RR detection because of its many advantages.

Non-contact breathing rate monitoring in newborns: A review.

The neonatal period - the first 4 weeks of life - is the most critical time for a child's survival. Breathing rate is a vital indicator of the health condition and requires continuous monitoring in case of sickness or preterm birth. Breathing movements can be counted by contact and non-contact methods.