ABSTRACT
Fifteen neonates were studied to determine whether beclomethasone could be safely administered with a metered-dose inhaler to subjects with an endotracheal tube in place. Oxygen saturations and transcutaneous carbon dioxide values were monitored before, during, and after administration. We found significantly more episodes of desaturation to less than 85% before administration than after administration (p < 0.05). The transcutaneous carbon dioxide values increased 4 to 10 mm Hg during delivery (p < 0.02) but returned to baseline by 30 minutes.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage , Beclomethasone/administration & dosage , Respiration, Artificial , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/therapy , Humans , Hydrocortisone/blood , Infant, Newborn , Nebulizers and Vaporizers , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/bloodABSTRACT
We investigated the safety and efficacy of using a single unit of packed red blood cells until its expiration date (35 days) to meet the transfusion needs of infants weighting < 1.5 kg. Unit concentration of potassium and infants' hematocrit value, K+ level, pH, and base excess were measured before and after transfusion. Compared with control infants, study infants had similar transfusion needs, but received blood from significantly fewer donors. The age of the blood received by study infants was significantly older and had a higher plasma K+ level. However, the change in infants' serum K+ levels before and after a transfusion was not significantly different in the two groups, and no adverse effects from transfusion of older blood were observed. We conclude that a protocol that allows use of an assigned unit of packed red blood cells preserved with citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine anticoagulant until its expiration date is safe, minimizes donor exposures, and meets the transfusion needs of low birth weight neonates.