Affiliations: [a] Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| [b] University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| [c] Center for Advanced Medical Analytics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Corrie Alonzo, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital. P.O. Box 800386, Charlottesville VA, 22908, USA. Tel.: +1 970 580 3640; Fax: +1 434 982 0796; E-mail: cjs5te@virginia.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:There are limited evidence-based published blood pressure ranges for premature neonates. The aim of the study was to determine blood pressure ranges in a large cohort of premature neonates based on gestational and post-menstrual age. METHODS:Retrospective observational study of premature neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at our institution between January 2009 and October 2015. We stratified data by gestational and post-menstrual age groups as well as by method of blood pressure measurement (non-invasive vs. invasive). RESULTS:Over two billion blood pressure values in 1708 neonates were analyzed to generate heat maps and establish percentile-based reference ranges. The median gestational age of the cohort was 31 weeks (IQR 28–33 weeks). We found moderate correlation (r = 0.57) between simultaneously obtained non-invasive and invasive blood pressure measurements. CONCLUSIONS:Our results can serve as a reference during the bedside assessment of the critically-ill neonate.
Keywords: Premature infant, blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, vital signs
