Abstract
Objective This study aims to examine the association between measures of hypercapnia and fluctuation
in Pco
2 and severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and to evaluate the prevalence of hypercapnia,
hypocapnia, and fluctuations in Pco
2 in the initial 72 hours of life among premature infants.
Study Design Retrospective study of premature infants with birth weight < 1,250 g, who were receiving
some respiratory support. All blood gases obtained in the first 3 days of life were
collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the association
of hypercapnia, and fluctuations in Pco
2 with severe IVH.
Result Our cohort included 285 patients, of whom 84% were intubated. Only 20% patients had
all blood gases in the normocapnia range; 9% had at least 1 gas with hypercapnia;
51% had at least 1 gas with hypocapnia, and 20% patients had both hypercapnia and
hypocapnia at different times. Infants with severe IVH (n = 41) had significantly higher peak Pco
2 and greater fluctuations in Pco
2 within a short interval, compared with those without severe IVH (n = 227). After controlling for gestational age, gender, antenatal steroid exposure,
presence of hypercapnia, and Apgar score at 5 minutes, fluctuation in Pco
2 remained significantly associated with severe IVH.
Conclusion Fluctuations in Pco
2 within a short period may be more significantly associated with severe IVH than the
mere presence of hypercapnia.
Keywords
intraventricular hemorrhage - hypercapnia - fluctuations in P
co
2
- carbon dioxide - premature infants - cerebral blood flow
