Continuous positive airway pressure impairs renal function in newborn goats

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is used routinely to improve oxygenation in newborns who have intrapulmonary shunts and hypoxemia tha tis refractory to usual oxygen therapy. Although the cardiovascular and pulmonary effects of CPAP on newborns are well known, little information is available concerning the effect of CPAP on renal function. Therefore, we determined the effect of CPAP (7.5 cm H2O) on urine flow, sodium excretion, and glomerular filtration rate in six newborn goats that were lightly anesthetized with methoxyflurane. CPAP decreased urine flow, sodium excretion, and glomerular filtration rate. CPAP also decreased pulse pressure but did not change mean systemic arterial pressure or heart rate. We conclude that CPAP can impair renal function in newborns without significantly altering renal perfusion pressure.