[Care of severely asphyctic preterm and term infants].

We present a complex monitoring procedure for preterm and term infants with severe perinatal asphyxia and/or shock. It includes arterial and central venous catheters and occasionally a pulmonary artery catheter. The monitoring system provides rapid information on a number of parameters which can be used to improve the quality of ventilation and drug treatment. Therapy induced side effects are more rapidly detected and corrected. Handling of the baby is reduced and thereby the otherwise resulting increase in blood pressure and ensuing danger of cerebral hemorrhage.