Impact of Changing Clinical Practices on Early Blood Gas Analyses in Very Preterm Infants and Their Associated Inpatient Outcomes

BACKGROUND: ) levels with adverse inpatient outcomes in very preterm babies. Recent resuscitation practice changes, such as targeted oxygen therapy, end-expiratory pressure, and rescue surfactant may influence these associations. OBJECTIVE: in preterm neonates <33 weeks gestational age after birth and their correlation to inpatient neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective observational cohort study of infants <33 weeks gestational age with arterial or venous blood gas analysis performed within the first hour after birth. RESULTS: with death or major inpatient morbidities. CONCLUSION: With current resuscitation and stabilization practices, hyperoxia and hypocarbia was uncommon, and hypercarbia occurred frequently. None of these findings correlate with adverse inpatient outcomes or death. Our findings are in direct contrast to published observations using historical practices.