Effect of a change in global metabolic rate on peripheral oxygen consumption in neonates.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of an induced change in global metabolic rate on peripheral oxygen consumption (VO(2)) in healthy full term neonates.


METHODS
Twenty four healthy full term neonates were studied. Peripheral VO(2) was measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) using arterial occlusion and measurement of the oxyhaemoglobin (HbO(2)) decrement slope. Global VO(2) was measured by open circuit calorimetry. Global and peripheral VO(2) were measured in each neonate before and after a routine bath. Abdominal and forearm skin temperatures were also recorded.


RESULTS
Nineteen neonates completed the study. Global VO(2) increased by 30.7% (p = 0.001), and peripheral VO(2) by 23.1% (p = 0.001). A correlation between the fractional changes in global and peripheral VO(2) was apparent (r = 0.76, p = 0.001). Abdominal skin temperature decreased by 0.8 degrees C (p = 0.001), and forearm skin temperature by 0.6 degrees C (p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of peripheral VO(2) using NIRS with arterial occlusion is responsive to conditions that increase global metabolic rate. Any change in global VO(2) must be taken into consideration during the interpretation of peripheral VO(2) measurements in neonates.
Hassan
I A-A
IA
Neonatal Unit, City General Hospital, Stoke on Trent, UK.
Wickramasinghe
Y A
YA
Spencer
S A
SA
D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013696:Temperature
D006454:Hemoglobins; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins