Abstract
The difference between capillary and venous hematocrits of newborn infants can be large and its extent cannot be predicted simply. We, therefore, examined the relationship of the capillary-venous hematocrit difference to acid base values, blood pressure, blood volume and red cell mass (125I-albumin dilution; Linderkamp et al, Eur.J.Pediat. 125:143, 1977; 125:135, 1977), and peripheral blood flow (venous occlusion plethysmography). We studied these variables simultaneously in 92 infants with gestation of 26-41 wks within 6 hrs after birth. The capillary/venous hematocrit ratio (Hctc/Hctv) was >1.00 in 89/92 infants and there was a significant inverse correlation between Hctc/Hctv and pH (r=-0.82), standard bicarbonate (r=-0.73) systolic blood pressure (r=-0.61), and peripheral blood flow (r=-0.70). 18/22 infants with Hctc/Hctv ≥1.20 had red cell mass values of <35 ml/kg indicating hypovolemia at birth. Hctc/Hctv did not correlate with the actual blood volumes. Gestational age of ≥ 30 wks was associated with a high Hctc/Hctv. These data indicate that a high Hctc/Hctv ratio occurs with disturbed microcirculation and in the sickest newborn infants skin prick hematocrits often overestimate the blood oxygen carrying capacity and red cell mass. Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 147).
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