Hypoxaemia and bronchopneumonia in infants less than six months of age
Brady, J.P.; Nathoo, K.J.
Central African Journal of Medicine 42(6): 163-165
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-9176 PMID: 8870312 Document Number: 455668
Objective: To determine the association of both oxygen saturation (SaO-2) 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 F-1O-2 with an analyser. F-1O-2 was increased until the SaO-2 reached maximal values, SaO-2 was recorded for five minutes: three in O-2 (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 SaO-2 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 lt 0.001) Conclusion: This study suggests that current nursing procedures and feeding practices may need to be modified in these very ill infants.