A panel of indices for evaluation and performance of artificial ventilation and objective evaluation of the condition of low birth weight infants as compared with infants weighing more than 2500 grams.

BACKGROUND

Mechanical ventilation is an invasive life-supporting technique which profoundly affects different organs and systems of the newborn. Initiation and subsequent application of any respiratory or oxygenation strategy in the setting of the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) requires sound knowledge and full comprehension of the underlying physiological and pathophysiological processes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty-nine low birth weight infants (LBW)--19 survivors (LBWS) and 40 nonsurvivors (LBWN)--who had received conventional mechanical ventilation during the neonatal period were followed over the time allowing data to reach statistical significance. We compared the results with those in newborns with birth weight greater than 2500 grams (results from a previous study) and found that the values, pattern of change and relationship between the different groups showed some interesting characteristics. The comparison of our results yields additional information with important predictive value. We made the following

CONCLUSIONS

1. There is a clear-cut difference in the pattern of change of indices between newborns with different birth weight. 2. There are a number of differences in the pattern of change of indices between the survived and non-survived which are independent of the birthweight. 3. The values and pattern of change of indices allows an evaluation of the degree of pulmonary dysfunction and the impairment of gas exchange and oxygenation. 4. The monitoring of the proposed panel of indices contributes towards the optimal application of the ventilation/oxygenation equipment. 5. The pattern of change of indices used is a source of timely and reliable information regarding the early and late prognosis in neonates receiving artificial ventilation.