Abstract
There is a need for an accurate & reproducible classification of severity of illness early in the course of RDS. The use of a new respiratory index RI=AaDO2/PO2 (Goldfarb et al A.J. Surg 129:255) has been found to be an important adjunct in the evaluation of twenty-six ill premature infants. The patients were divided into three groups on the basis of their calculated respiratory indices: Group I (RI=0-3) , Group II (RI=3-6) and Group III (RI>6).
The use of a numerical index facilitates the objective assessment of the initial severity of RDS. In addition, the RI may also be useful in tracking the course of disease and comparing the effectiveness of different treatment regimens.
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Hegyi, T., Hiatt, I. 976 THE USE OF A NEW RESPIRATORY INDEX TO ASSESS THE SEVERITY OF RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME IN THE PREMATURE INFANT. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 526 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00982
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00982