Abstract
Objective: To define the range of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in sick neonates using surrogate measurements of bladder pressure.
Methods: Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients requiring an indwelling urinary catheter were enrolled in the study. A bladder pressure monitoring system was attached to the catheter and measurements recorded every 2–4 h.
Results: Data were collected on 30~neonates. Median birth weight, gestational age, and duration of study were 2580 g, 37 wk, and 5.5 d, respectively. 1219 measurements were obtained with median (interquartile range)= 8 (3–10) mmHg and 90th percentile =13 mmHg. 18 neonates (60%) required abdominal surgery and 85% of IAP values > 90th percentile occurred post operatively (p< 0.001). 72% (13/18) of post operative patients had IAP > 90th percentile compared to 18% (2/12) of non surgical patients (p=0.008).
Conclusions: Measuring IAP in sick neonates can be done as part of neonatal intensive care. The time of highest risk for elevated IAP appears to be in the post-operative period.
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