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Hypoxaemia and bronchopneumonia in infants less than six months of age
1Department of Paediatrics, Harare Central Hospital, Zimbabwe.
Insights
The rate of oxygen desaturation in infants with bronchopneumonia is a key predictor of mortality. Rapid desaturation in air indicates a higher risk of death within seven days for these critically ill infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Respiratory medicine
- Neonatology
Background:
- Bronchopneumonia is a significant cause of mortality in infants.
- Assessing oxygenation status is crucial for managing critically ill infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between oxygen saturation (SaO2) levels under high inspired oxygen (FiO2) and the rate of desaturation in air.
- To identify prognostic indicators for mortality in infants with bronchopneumonia.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based prognostic study involving 40 infants under six months with pneumonia.
- Oxygen saturation and FiO2 were measured using pulse oximetry and an analyzer.
- The rate of desaturation in air was calculated after a period of high oxygen exposure.
Main Results:
- Mortality within seven days was not linked to age, nutritional status, or SaO2 in high oxygen.
- A significant association was found between the rate of oxygen desaturation in air and mortality (8%/minute in survivors vs. 24%/minute in non-survivors, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- The rate of oxygen desaturation in air is a strong predictor of early mortality in infants with bronchopneumonia.
- Current nursing and feeding practices may require modification for very ill infants to improve outcomes.
Objective:
To determine the association of both oxygen saturation (SaO2) in high levels of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and the rate of desaturation in air among survivors and non survivors (death within 7 days of admission) in infants with bronchopneumonia.
Design:
Hospital based prognostic study.
Setting:
Tertiary level Paediatric ward, Harare Hospital.
Subjects:
Total of 40 infants aged less than six months with pneumonia were studied.
Interventions:
Oxygen saturation was measured with a pulse oximeter and F1O2 with an analyser. F1O2 was increased until the SaO2 reached maximal values, SaO2 was recorded for five minutes: three in O2 (oxygen) and two in air and the rate of desaturation calculated.
Main Outcome Measures:
Mortality within seven days of admission.
Results:
Eleven died within seven days of admission. Mortality was not associated with age, weight for age, severity of pneumonia, or SaO2 in high oxygen (99pc versus 95pc). It was related to the rate of oxygen desaturation in air; 8pc/minute versus 24pc/minute in survivors and non survivors, respectively (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
This study suggests that current nursing procedures and feeding practices may need to be modified in these very ill infants.