End-tidal capnography monitoring in infants ventilated on the neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Abstract Objective To assess whether end-tidal capnography (EtCO 2 ) monitoring reduced the magnitude of difference in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) levels and the number of blood gases in ventilated infants. Study design A case–control study of a prospective cohort ( n = 36) with capnography monitoring and matched historical controls ( n = 36). Result The infants had a median gestational age of 31.6 weeks. A reduction in the highest CO 2 level on day 1 after birth was observed after the introduction of EtCO 2 monitoring ( p = 0.043). There was also a reduction in the magnitude of difference in CO 2 levels on days 1 ( p = 0.002) and 4 ( p = 0.049) after birth. There was no significant difference in the number of blood gases. Conclusion Continuous end-tidal capnography monitoring in ventilated infants was associated with a reduction in the degree of the magnitude of difference in CO 2 levels and highest level of CO 2 on the first day after birth.