Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Chronic lung disease (CLD) of prematurity is associated with significant morbidity, and infants discharged home in oxygen are particularly vulnerable. Aim: To assess the incidence of acute life threatening events (ALTEs) during 12-month follow-up of CLD infants discharged home receiving supplemental oxygen.
METHOD:
All infants discharged over a one-year period were studied. Pre-discharge oxygen requirements were set on clinical grounds. Before discharge, oxygen saturations were recorded blind using a data-logger. Infant's oxygen requirements, hospital attendances, and details of ALTEs were recorded over the subsequent year.
RESULTS:
Sixteen infants were studied. Median (range): birth-weight 938 grams (448 - 1,638); gestational age 28 weeks (24 - 32); discharge oxygen requirement 0.20 litres/minute (0.05 - 0.50). Eight infants subsequently had one or more ALTEs. Discharge oxygen saturation profiles were significantly lower in these infant when compared to those not having ALTEs (p < 0.05), despite receiving supplementary oxygen.
CONCLUSIONS:
Before discharge home, formal oxygen saturation studies should be performed in infants receiving supplementary oxygen to ensure optimum oxygen delivery.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 27-29 |
| Journal | Paediatric nursing |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2006 |