[Importance and usefulness of transcutaneous PO2 in neonatology. Experience with the healthy and sick neonate].

The authors have checked transcutaneous PO2 in newborns in the Neonatology Department of Maria Vittoria Hospital, Torino, Italy. 39 full-term newborns (healthy, Apgar score more than 7) have been monitorized during their first minutes. The results have been divided in four groups: spontaneous birth or caesarean section with fetal suffering or not. Significant differences have been shown between newborns with fetal suffering whether they were born by caesarean section or not, and between born by caesarean section with or without fetal suffering. 27 newborns with gestational age of 32 weeks or less have been monitorized all the time they were in need of oxygen therapy. 29,6% of these babies have shown, during the first week of life, at least one peak of tcPO2 more than 100 torr. The authors insist on the importance of tcPO2 monitoring during the first moments of life, on the influence of labour conditions and type of birth. In preterm neonates treated with oxygen therapy, tcPO2 is now the best method to evaluate hypoxia (leading to cerebral lesions) and hyperoxia (with risk of retinal and pulmonary damage).