Avoiding hyperoxemia during neonatal resuscitation: time to response of different SpO2 monitors.

AIM: To assess the time to obtain reliable oxygen saturation readings by different pulse oximeters during neonatal resuscitation in the delivery room or NICU. METHODS: Prospective study comparing three different pulse oximeters: Masimo Radical-7 compared simultaneously with Ohmeda Biox 3700 or with Nellcor N395, in newborn infants who required resuscitation. Members of the research team placed the sensors for each of the pulse oximeters being compared simultaneously, one sensor on each foot of the same baby. Care provided routinely, without interference by the research team. The time elapsed until a reliable SpO2 was obtained was recorded using a digital chronometer. Statistical comparisons included chi-square and student's T-test. RESULTS: Thirty-two infants were enrolled; median gestational age 32 weeks. Seventeen paired measurements were made with the Radical-7 and Biox 3700; mean time to a stable reading was 20.2±7 sec for the Radical-7 and 74.2±12 sec for the Biox 3700 (p=0.02). The Radical-7 and the N- 395 were paired on 15 infants; the times to obtain a stable reading were 20.9±4 sec and 67.3±12 sec, respectively (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: The time to a reliable reading obtained simultaneously in neonatal critical situations differs by the type of the pulse oximeter used, being significantly faster with Masimo Signal Extraction Technology. This may permit for better adjustments of inspired oxygen, aiding in the prevention of damage caused by unnecessary exposure to high or low oxygen.

Sepsis neonatal tardía por SARS CoV-2 / Neonatal late-onset infection with SARS CoV-2

Durante la pandemia por SARS CoV-2 la gran mayoría de pacientes ha presentado afectación pulmonar como síntoma cardinal. En los niños, especialmente en recién nacidos, la sintomatología debida al efecto en otros sistemas diferentes al respiratorio puede dificultar el diagnóstico. Se reportan tres casos de recién nacidos atendidos durante la fase de mitigación de la pandemia por SARS CoV-2 en el servicio de urgencias de un hospital materno-infantil en Barranquilla, Colombia, por presentar cuadros febriles que afectaban su estado general. En su evolución clínica predominó la sintomatología gastrointestinal sin que desarrollaran nunca manifestaciones respiratorias. La investigación epidemiológica no evidenció contacto con casos sospechosos o positivos para COVID-19. Sus madres no habían tenido síntomas respiratorios en los 45 días transcurridos desde la declaración de la emergencia en salud pública en el país. La ausencia de manifestaciones clínicas respiratorias en este grupo de pacientes con COVID-19 debe llamar la atención de los clínicos sobre la necesidad de sospechar la infección por SARS CoV-2 en recién nacidos con estados febriles.

During the SARS COV-2 pandemic, the vast majority of infected patients are showing symptoms related to lung damage. At pediatric ages, especially newborns, symptoms from other organ systems without respiratory illness could make COVID-19 hard to diagnose. We are reporting three cases of newborns who were attended in the course of the mitigation phase in the emergency service of a maternal hospital in Barranquilla, Colombia, for high temperature and general compromised condition. During their clinical course, they developed gastrointestinal symptoms without showing any respiratory manifestations. They were not epidemiologically linked to a contact suspected to be a COVID-19 case and their mothers had had no respiratory symptoms since the public health emergency in our country was declared 45 days before. The absence of clinical respiratory manifestations in this group of patients with COVID-19 should draw clinicians' attention to the need to suspect SARS CoV-2 infection in febrile newborns.