Nocturnal Transcutaneous Blood Gas Measurements in a Pediatric Neurologic Population: A Quality Assessment.

Objective

To assess the quality of SpO2 and PCO2 recordings via transcutaneous monitoring in children with neurological conditions.

Methods

Overnight transcutaneous SpO2 and PCO2 were analyzed. The presence of drift and drift correction was noted, and the rate of disrupted recordings scored (0: absence, 1; presence). The quality of recordings was also scored (0, 1, 2 for poor, medium, and high).

Results

A total of 228 recordings from 64 children aged 9.7 ± 6 years were analyzed of which 42 used positive pressure respiratory support. The mean quality of the recordings was scored as 1.27 (0-2). PCO2 drift, drift correction, and disrupted recordings were present in 25%, 58%, and 26% of recordings, respectively. Satisfactory clinical decisions were taken in 91% of cases.

Conclusion

The quality of transcutaneous sensor recordings was acceptable and clinical findings were deemed as satisfactory in the large majority of cases. Correction of PCO2 drift was challenging.