Abstract
Evaluation of the ventilatory response to CO2 is more accurate than the pneumocardiogram (PCG) in predicting well being in infants managed with home monitors. Twenty-two infants (BW 1150-3900g, GA 28-41 wks) were evaluated at 35-47 wks postconceptual age with CO2 response studies and PCGs due to presence of risk factors for SIDS (prolonged apnea, BPD). Abnormal CO2 response was defined by a slope below 20 mm/kg/min/mmHg BTPS, and abnormal PCG was based on the presence of excessive periodic breathing, apnea, and bradycardia. Nineteen infants had normal slopes (43.5±21.8 mm/kg/min/mmHg BTPS) while 3 were abnormal (10.6±3.2 mm/kg/min/mmHg BTPS). Ten infants had an abnormal PCG while 12 were considered to be normal. The relationship between CO2 response slope and PCG result are shown below.
There were no correlations between slope and %PB, and frequency of apnea and bradycardia. All infants were followed to 5-6 month postnatal age, with no reported episodes requiring intervention. The specificity of the CO2 response was 86% and the PCG 54% in forecasting an uncomplicated course (P<0.05). In this group of patients ventilatory response studies were better predictors of well being during the time period studied.
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Marotta, F., Fort, M., Hiatt, I. et al. RISK PREDICTORS FOR SIDS: C02 RESPONSE TESTING VS. THE PNEUMOCARDIOGRAM. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 327 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01407
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01407