Transcutaneous blood gas monitoring during peritoneal dialysis in the neonate.

Transcutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide were monitored continuously during peritoneal dialysis in an infant with severe idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome requiring mechanical ventilation. These showed marked changes in blood gases occurring in phase with the cycles of dialysis due to interference with ventilatory function by fluid in the peritoneal cavity. This finding has important implications for the management of infants requiring peritoneal dialysis during mechanical ventilation.