Hypoxaemia and bronchopneumonia in infants less than six months of age.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association of both oxygen saturation (SaO2) in high levels of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and the rate of desaturation in air among survivors and non survivors (death within 7 days of admission) in infants with bronchopneumonia.


METHODS
Hospital based prognostic study.


METHODS
Tertiary level Paediatric ward, Harare Hospital.


METHODS
Total of 40 infants aged less than six months with pneumonia were studied.


METHODS
Oxygen saturation was measured with a pulse oximeter and F1O2 with an analyser. F1O2 was increased until the SaO2 reached maximal values, SaO2 was recorded for five minutes: three in O2 (oxygen) and two in air and the rate of desaturation calculated.


METHODS
Mortality within seven days of admission.


RESULTS
Eleven died within seven days of admission. Mortality was not associated with age, weight for age, severity of pneumonia, or SaO2 in high oxygen (99pc versus 95pc). It was related to the rate of oxygen desaturation in air; 8pc/minute versus 24pc/minute in survivors and non survivors, respectively (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that current nursing procedures and feeding practices may need to be modified in these very ill infants.
Brady
J P
JP
Department of Paediatrics, Harare Central Hospital, Zimbabwe.
Nathoo
K J
KJ
D000367:Age Factors; D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010092:Oximetry; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis