Abstract
The inhalation of 100% O2 for more than 30 sec increases minute ventilation (VE) in neonates. To discover whether this hyperventilation is due to cerebral vasoconstriction and brain ischemia we measured VE, alveolar PCO2 (PACO2) and CSF PCO2, PO2, pH and bicarbonate before and after the administration of 100% O2. Subjects were 7 neonates (G.A.±.S.E. 38±1.4 wks; B.W. 3,354±.370 gm; P.N.A. 3.8±1.9 days) who were being worked up for sepsis. VE was measured with a noseplece and a screen flowmeter. CSF samples were taken before and 7 min after continuous breathing of O2. Results:
All values: Mean ± S.E.
These findings suggest that hyperventilation with 100% O2 is associated with a decrease in alveolar and CSF PCO2 and a tendency for CSF pH to increase. If central tissue ischemia were present, we would expect CSF PCO2 to increase and pH to decrease. Because they change in the same direction as arterial PCO2 and pH are known to change, the hypothesis that 100% O2 stimulates breathing by producing central ischemia is untenable.
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Davi, M., Sankaran, K. & Rigatto, H. BREATHING AND CEREBROSPINAL FLUID (CSF) IN NEONATES. Pediatr Res 11, 569 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01194
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01194