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Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
07:52

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End-tidal carbon monoxide measurements in infant respiratory distress syndrome

Tannette G Krediet1, Geert A Cirkel, Hendrik J Vreman

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Wilhemina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands. t.krediet@wkz.azu.nl

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|August 30, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Elevated end-tidal carbon monoxide (ETCOc) indicates respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) severity in preterm infants. Early ETCOc measurements can reliably predict the absence of chronic lung disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Respiratory Physiology
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) involves inflammatory and oxidative processes.
  • These processes can elevate carbon monoxide (CO) production.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between end-tidal CO corrected for inhaled CO (ETCOc) and RDS severity in preterm infants.
  • To assess the predictive value of early ETCOc measurements for chronic lung disease development.

Main Methods:

  • 78 preterm infants were studied, categorized by RDS severity (none, moderate, severe).
  • End-tidal CO corrected for inhaled CO (ETCOc) was measured using the CO-Stat End Tidal Breath Analyzer.

Main Results:

  • ETCOc levels were significantly higher in infants with RDS compared to those without during the first week of life.
  • RDS severity was the most significant independent predictor of ETCOc levels.
  • Early ETCOc measurements (<2.5 ppm within 12 hours of birth) demonstrated excellent (100%) negative predictive value for chronic lung disease.

Conclusions:

  • Increased ETCOc in severe RDS suggests inflammation and lipid peroxidation contribute to elevated local CO production in the lungs.
  • Early ETCOc measurements are valuable for excluding the occurrence of chronic lung disease in preterm infants.
Abstract

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