Optimum temperature requirements for cutaneous oxygen measuremtns (cpO2); a comparative study of 44 and 43 degrees C

Simultaneous measurements of cutaneous pO2 with oxygen skin sensors heated to 44 and 43 degrees C have been performed in 9 newborns in respiratory distress. 25 simultaneous measurements of paO2, cpO2 (44 degrees C) and cpO2 (43 degrees C) and 150 h of simultaneous recordings at these two different temperatures were compared. The agreement with arterial pO2 values was found to be superior at the higher sensor temperature. At 43 degrees C, the cpO2 is much lower than at 44 degrees C and lower than the arterial values. Although the risk of thermally induced lesions during prolonged use is higher at 44 degrees C, it is advisable to use this temperature for monitoring critically ill infants. Burns can be avoided by frequently changing the measuring site.