Cutaneous pCO₂ (cpCO₂) monitoring in respiratory distress in infants and children

Conclusions

These findings recorded in a small number of patients must be interpreted with caution, particularly in view of the fact that, in a few cases, two types of traces were observed in the same patient at different times. Nevertheless, they do reveal the advantages and limitations of cpCO₂ monitoring:

• 1. In most cases cpCO₂ makes it possible to monitor pCO₂ since it is significantly correlated with p_aCO₂.

• 2. It ceases to be of value when collapse has occurred. Its deviation from p_aCO₂ is an indirect reflection of hemodynamics and could contribute to its monitoring.

• 3. In general it can be said that these variations are much smaller than those of cpO₂ and there are relatively few situations in which they can be used as a guide in ventilation.

• 4. Studies of cpCO₂ and cpO₂ traces could perhaps provide better understanding of various pathological respiratory conditions but we feel that it should be linked to that of other parameters, such as alveolar pCO₂.