Abstract
The purpose of this study was to define gestation-related changes in the response of cerebral blood volume to changes in arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2). Twelve newborn infants bom at 27-41 (median 31) weeks of gestation were studied aged 8-97 (26) hours by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). All were receiving mechanical ventilation and had normal brains as judged by clinical criteria and ultrasound scans.
NIRS was performed at the cotside and measurements of cerebral blood volume made as previously described1. Following baseline measurements PaCO2 was altered by 1-2 kPa in the range 3.9-9.6 kPa by adjusting the ventilator rate. The change in cerebral blood volume in response to changing PaCO2 was calculated for each infant. A highly significant positive linear relation between gestational age and this response was found (ANOVA, p<0.01) The mean value for the regression at 27 weeks gestation was 0.15 (95% CI -0.09, 0.39) ml.100g−.kPa− and at 41 weeks 0.58 (95% CI 0.33, 0.83) ml.100g−.kPa−.
We conclude that the response of cerebral blood volume to changing PaCO2 is markedly diminished in preterm compared with term infants.
1. JS Wyatt et al. J Appl Physiol (in press)
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Wyatt, J., Edwards, A., McCormick, D. et al. 81 Response of cerebral blood volume to changes in arterial carbon dioxide tension in newborn infants. Pediatr Res 28, 290 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00105
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00105