[Non-invasive monitoring of the cardiopulmonary status of newborn infants immediately following birth].

Blood gas and acid base values in cord blood are not predictive for neonatal cardiopulmonary adaptation on the extrauterine life. The oxygen-cardiorespirography shows objectively the state of adaptation. By this monitoring beat-to-beat heart rate, respiratory rate, thoracic impedance and the transcutaneous PO2 are measured. 16 of 337 newborns had severe cardiopulmonary problems (11 respiratory distress, 5 congenital heart disease), which was seen in at least one of the parameters. In 10 of 16 infants a pathological pattern was recognized by oxygen-cardiorespirography before clinical symptoms appeared. Additional information can be given by the hyperoxia test to differentiate healthy and sick newborns (respiratory problems and congenital heart disease). With two tcPO2-electrodes fixed on the thorax and abdomen, the shunt through an open ductus arteriosus can be estimated by different values.