Haemoglobin is inversely related to plasma lactate and heart rate in the newborn piglet.
It has been hypothesized that an increased level of plasma lactate (La), the product of anaerobic glycolysis, may identify infants with anaemia and early tissue hypoxia. In the newborn piglet, a frequently used model in experimental neonatology, there is a substantial decrease in haemoglobin (Hb) during the first days of life. We have investigated whether a low level of Hb is associated with an increased level of La in the newborn piglet. Arterial blood gas, Hb, glucose, La, and continuous blood pressure and heart rate (HR) recordings were obtained from 66 newborn piglets. In 4 additional piglets recordings were obtained before isovolemic anaemia, during isovolemic anaemia, and after retransfusion of packed red cells. A low concentration of Hb in the newborn piglet correlates with an increased level of La as well as with an increased HR. A reduction of Hb causes an increase in La and in HR. We hypothesize that increased La and increased HR are caused by mild hypoxia due to normal, low Hb levels in the apparently healthy, resting newborn piglet.
Haaland
K
K
Department of Surgical Research, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet, Norway.
Kofstad
J
J
Apricena
F
F
Thoresen
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D006339:Heart Rate; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D013552:Swine
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006454:Hemoglobins; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D019344:Lactic Acid; D010100:Oxygen