Single breath end-tidal CO2 estimates of arterial PCO2 in infants and children.

To determine whether single breath end-tidal carbon dioxide (PE'CO2) measurements accurately estimate arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) in infants and children, 68 healthy infants and children, ASA physical status I or II scheduled for peripheral and lower abdominal surgery requiring endotracheal intubation were studied. A 3 ml single breath sample was obtained with a 23-gauge needle which was inserted through the wall of the endotracheal tube below the connector. The mean +/- SD PE'CO2 33.6 +/- 6.9 mmHg did not differ significantly from the corresponding mean +/- SD PaCO2 33.6 +/- 5.6 mmHg. The coefficient of determination, r2, was 0.97. The authors conclude that single breath PE'CO2 measurements from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube accurately estimate the PaCO2 in infants and children.