Correlation between oxygen status measures during neonatal air transport

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the strength of the relationship between arterial oxygen tension (Pao 2) and transcutaneous oxygen (Ptco 2), and arterial carbon dioxide tension (Paco 2) and transcutaneous carbon dioxide (Ptcco 2) of premature neonates during fixed-wing air transport. Method: The study admitted 37 randomly selected intubated or nonintubated neonates who received oxygen by mechanical ventilation or face mask and required at least a 1-hour fixed-wing flight. Arterial blood gas samples were taken from the umbilical artery catheter at the end of three 15-minute intervals and stored in an ice slurry for analysis (Radiometer ABL300) on arrival at the receiving hospital. Transcutaneous monitor readings (Radiometer Tina 3) were recorded with each arterial sample. Results: A correlation of 0.88 ( p <.001) between Pao 2 and Ptco 2 and 0.86 ( p <.001) between Paco 2 and Ptcco 2 existed. Conclusion: Despite strong correlation, the range of difference between the individual transcutaneous values and actual blood oxygen values were from 0 to 31. This difference was not due to change in cabin pressure. Considering the flight environment (cabin temperature, pressure changes, and weather), these values are remarkably stable.