[Circulatory adaptation of the newborn infant immediately post partum by bilocal measurement of transcutaneous PCO2].

In addition to cardio-respirography, non-invasive intermittent blood pressure measurement, temperature measurement and transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure measurement, a further non-invasive method for monitoring the post partuant adaptation of the newborn has emerged with the development of an electrode for measuring the transcutaneous carbon dioxide partial pressure. In order to achieve the correct interpretation of measuring data in depressed newborns, a transcutaneous carbon dioxide partial pressure measurement was performed on 36 vigorous newborns directly post partum. The levels of the transcutaneous carbon dioxide measurement exceeded those from arterial PCO2 measurements. After using the Severinghaus corrective formula which takes into account a tissue factor as well as a temperature factor, the levels did correspond well with the results from arterial CO2 partial pressure determinations. In order to be able to investigate the adaptation of the circulation, we performed synchronous measurements of the tcPCO2 infraclavically and in the regio pubica. The significant difference between the measuring data of both electrodes up to an interval of 26 minutes post partum suggests that during the early adaptation phase of the vigorous newborn, there is a right to left shunt with venous admixture.