Cord blood ph measurement at birth, using relatively simple and non-invasive methods, provides obstetricians and perinatologists with an objective and sensitive measure for the condition of the infant during the final stage of birth.  As long as certain criteria are observed, the reported values are reliable. Routine ...

Apgar scores and umbilical artery pH have traditionally been used as objective measures of neonatal asphyxia. According to the literature, the practice of cord gas analysis varies greatly both between and within countries - whether analysis is performed, whether it is routine at all births and why it is performed...

High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is often used in neonatal intensive care. HFOV has been shown to decrease bronchopulmonary dysplasia [1,2,3] in preterm infants and to be very effective in the treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn when used in conjunction with inhaled nitric oxide ...

Monitoring of blood gases is essential in neonatal intensive care. Traditionally arterial samples have been considered the gold standard, but in critically ill neonates physiological changes can happen within minutes to a degree endangering the newborn. Clinicians can therefore not rely solely on intermittent...

Non-invasive monitoring of oxygenation has become a standard procedure in neonatal critical care. Both transcutaneous pO₂ (tcpO₂) monitors and pulse oximeters involve methodological and practical issues that should be known to those using these devices in infants. tcpO₂ measurements are influenced by skin thickness, ...

Transcutaneous non-invasive monitoring technology has been around for more than thirty years.  Throughout this period of time, transcutaneous monitoring has been closely linked to the care of neonates. However, recent studies suggest that transcutaneous technology may work just as well in older children and adults....

The application of transcutaneous pO₂/pCO₂ monitoring is essential in optimizing the ventilatory management of critically ill newborns. Application areas include high-frequency oscillatory ventilation initiation, transitioning modes of ventilation, and inter-facility transport.

Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) during labor has been performed for 40 years. However, the specificity in diagnosing asphyxia is still insufficient. The combination of EFM and fetal scalp-blood sampling was introduced shortly after the introduction of EFM.  Although this monitoring ensures a better sensitivity and...

Both high and low blood glucose levels may be dangerous to the newborn baby. Measurement of blood or plasma lactate concentrations gives an indication of the adequacy of oxygen delivery to tissues, and blood and CSF lactate levels are essential investigations in the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM)....

Babies are not small adults! The potential for abnormal adaptation to life outside of the womb, changes in physiology, and a myriad of possible life-threatening clinical conditions requires an understanding of the laboratory tests needed to support these infants.  To effectively handle the unique needs of these...