Abstract
Even short hyperoxaemia has been shown to produce prolonged cerebral vasoconstriction in preterms. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) in preterms is less than in older infants and adults. We hypothesised that this may partly be due to exposure to exessive oxygen at birth.
In a prospective, randomized study of infants ≤ 32 weeks of gestational age we used 21 or 80 % oxygen during stabilisation/resuscitation in the delivery room. Two hours after birth, CBF was measured using Xe-clearance and left ventricular output (LVO) was calculated measuring the internal aortic diameter with M-mode echocardiography and aortic flow velocity using pulsed Doppler ultrasound.
Results: This interrim analysis involves 30 infants, 14 randomized to 21 (GrI) and 16 randomized to 80 % O2 (GrII). Supplemental oxygen was administered in the delivery room to two infants in Gr.I, and two hrs. after birth to 6 in GrI and 10 in GrII.
Mean (SD) values in the groups (I/II) were CBF: 16.2 (5.7)/ 13.8 (4.7) ml/100g/min., p=0.21. LVO: 240 (58) / 263 (60) ml/kg/min., p=0.32.
Conclusion: These preliminary results shows no diffence between the groups. Resuscitation with 21 % oxygen is possible in a majority of preterm infants.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lundstrøm, K., Greisen, G. CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND LEFT VENTRICULAR OUTPUT IN PREMATURE INFANTS AFTER 21 VERSUS 80% OXYGEN AT BIRTH. Pediatr Res 32, 631 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00158
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00158