Normative blood pressure data for Indian neonates.

OBJECTIVE

To establish the normative blood pressure (BP) values in healthy Indian neonates using oscillometric method, and to develop BP percentile charts.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

Neonatal unit of a teaching hospital in Eastern India.

PARTICIPANTS

1617 hemodynamically stable inborn neonates without birth asphyxia, major congenital anomaly, maternal complications (e.g. preeclampsia, hypertension, diabetes) or critical neonatal illness.

PROCEDURE: Quite state measurements of systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded by oscillometric method on day 4, 7 and 14 of postnatal life. The averages of three readings at 2-minute intervals were used.

RESULTS

Percentile charts (providing 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 95th, and 99th percentile values) have been developed. SBP, DBP and MAP showed a steady rise from day 4 to day 14, and were comparable between males and females, but were significantly lower in preterms than in term neonates.

CONCLUSIONS

Normative neonatal BP data along with gestational age-wise percentile charts shall be of help for decision-making and planning for sick newborns.