ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: No studies have evaluated the relationship between maternal arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (mPaCO2) and umbilical cord venous partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) in critically ill pregnant women at delivery. Based on the studies in healthy pregnant women, an mPaCO2 target of ≤50 mmHg is a suggested threshold during mechanical ventilation in critically ill parturients. We evaluated the relationship between mPaCO2 and neonatal cord gases in critically ill parturients at delivery as the primary objective. The relationship between mPaCO2 and APGAR scores at delivery was also analysed as a secondary objective. Methods: Maternal and neonatal cord gas data at delivery and APGAR scores were obtained by a retrospective chart review of 25 consecutive parturients with severe respiratory compromise who were delivered during mechanical ventilation. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between mPaCO2 and umbilical artery and vein PCO2 and between mPaCO2 and APGAR scores at 1 and 5 min. Results: There was a positive correlation between mPaCO2 and neonatal cord venous PCO2 (P = 0.013). Foetal venous PCO2 exceeded predelivery mPaCO2 by 17.5 (7.5) mmHg. There was an inverse relationship between mPaCO2 and neonatal APGAR scores at 1 and 5 min (P = 0.006 and P = 0.007, respectively). Conclusion: Foetal cord venous PCO2 can be predicted if mPaCO2 values are known. Unlike in healthy pregnant women, there was an inverse relationship between rising mPaCO2 levels and neonatal APGAR scores in critically ill pregnant women who had several associated compounding factors.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess ocular diagnoses and follow-up patterns of children referred for a comprehensive eye examination after a school-based vision screening program. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: Students in grades K-5 from the School District of Philadelphia public schools screened by The Wills Eye Vision Screening Program for Children between January 2014 and June 2015. METHODS: Children with subnormal best-corrected visual acuity or other ocular conditions were referred to the Wills Eye pediatric ophthalmology service. A social worker assisted parents/guardians of referred children in scheduling an appointment and navigating insurance/payment issues. Measured outcomes included demographic information, ocular diagnoses, treatments, and follow-up patterns. RESULTS: Of 10 726 children screened, 509 (5%) were referred for a follow-up eye examination. Of these 509 children, only 127 (25%) completed a referral eye examination with parental consent. Most children (58%) were diagnosed with more than one eye condition, including refractive error (76%), amblyopia (43%), strabismus (16%), and anisometropia (13%). Other conditions included macular hypoplasia, ptosis, and other congenital anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: This program discovered and addressed potentially vision-threatening conditions in underserved children susceptible to amblyopia by offering social worker services and financial support to enable referred children to complete an eye examination. Contact by the social worker required consent. Obtaining such consent proved to be a barrier to connecting children with the recommended consultation.