Reliability of capillary blood gas estimation in neonates

In order to compare the reliability of capillary blood gases to the arterial blood gases, we studied fifty one neonates with moderate birth asphyxia. A significant difference (p less than 0.05) was found between the capillary and the arterial blood gas values with respect to blood pH, PCO2 PO2 and oxygen saturation. However, the levels of blood bicarbonate as assessed by the 2 samples were comparable. Capillary blood gas values are unsatisfactory indicators of the arterial blood gas values and may result in inappropriate management.