Can You Nerve Monitor a Newborn?
Carousel1 min read·Published Oct 2026

Can You Nerve Monitor a Newborn?

Title slide asking if nerve monitoring is possible in newborns, with Cincinnati Children's branding.
Medical illustration of pediatric thyroid with monitoring device, explaining historical equipment size limitations.
Timeline showing endotracheal tube electrode research now extends from age 5 down to age 0 and size 3-0 tubes.
Diagram showing three-step workaround for vocal cord monitoring in small pediatric patients using direct electrode placement.
Conclusion slide stating nerve monitoring is now feasible for most pediatric thyroid operations regardless of size.
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Carousel · Oct 2026 · 1 min read

In brief

In brief

Educational carousel addressing the technical feasibility and clinical considerations of intraoperative nerve monitoring during thyroid and neck procedures in newborn patients. Explores specialized techniques for recurrent laryngeal nerve identification and protection in the neonatal population.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the carousel.

Slides

6 pages · click to turn to one

A clinical comparison chart displaying three treatment modalities in vertical columns with icons, percentage metrics, and outcome indicators. Each column uses distinct color coding and includes graphical representations of success rates, complication profiles, and patient ambulation data. The layout emphasizes quantitative comparisons through bar charts and numerical callouts.

Pediatric thyroid and neck surgery. A social-media carousel made possible by Cincinnati Children's.
The text in the image

Pediatric Achalasia: Surgical Approach Comparison | Heller Myotomy: 78% Success | Esophageal Dilatation: 45% Success | POEM (Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy): 99% Success | 742 Cases Reviewed | Complication Rates | Training Requirements | Ambulation Outcomes: 71-83% with Cell Lines A&B vs 20% Control | In Utero Myelomeningocele Repair | Human Placental Mesenchymal Stromal Cells | Neuroprotection Study | Robotic vs Laparoscopic Surgery | Dr. Gurria | Pediatric Surgical Techniques | Clinical Indications

The text on each slide
  1. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | CAN YOU NERVE MONITOR A NEWBORN? | The answer may surprise you.
  2. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | YES. | IT USED TO BE NO. | For years the equipment simply wasn't built small enough for pediatric patients — so the option came off the table before the conversation started.
  3. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | WHAT CHANGED? | THE FLOOR KEEPS DROPPING. | AGE 5 | where earlier publications stopped | AGE 0 | recent ET tube electrode reports | Adhesive electrodes can go on even a 3-0 endotracheal tube.
  4. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | STILL TOO SMALL? | SKIP THE TUBE. GO TO THE MUSCLE. | If the child is too small for the tube-mounted setup, the electrodes are available separately. | The workaround: | 1 direct laryngoscopy | 2 place electrodes straight into the vocalis muscle | 3 monitor from there
  5. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | P. Ben Ham III, MD, MS | Pediatric & General Thoracic Surgeon, Oishei Children's Hospital | "It may be most beneficial in a total thyroidectomy, where the contralateral cord is paralyzed — to help decrease the risk of tracheotomy with bilateral paralysis."
  6. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | CONCLUSION | Nerve monitoring can now be considered for almost any pediatric thyroid operation — size is rarely the deciding factor anymore. | The real trade-off is cost... not feasibility. | Whether it lowers injury rates in children is still unsettled. | FULL VIDEO — LINK IN BIO. | GC
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