Continuous non-invasive end-tidal CO₂ monitoring in pediatric inpatients with diabetic ketoacidosis

Authors: Agus, Michael SD; Alexander, Jamin L¹; Mantell, Patricia A²

Source: Pediatric Diabetes, Volume 7, Number 4, August 2006 , pp. 196-200(5)

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Abstract:

Agus MSD, Alexander JL, Mantell PA. Continuous non-invasive end-tidal CO₂ monitoring in pediatric inpatients with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Pediatric Diabetes 2006: 7: 196-200. Introduction:

Pediatric inpatients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are routinely subjected to frequent blood draws in order to closely monitor degree of acidosis and response to therapy. The typical level of acidosis monitoring is less than ideal, however, because of the high cost and invasiveness of frequent blood labs. Previous studies have validated end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂) monitoring in the emergency department (ED) for varying periods of time. We extend these findings to the inpatient portion of the hospitalization during which the majority of blood tests are sent. Methods:

All patients admitted to an intermediate care unit in (InCU) a large children's hospital were fitted with an appropriately sized oral/nasal cannula capable of sensing EtCO₂. Laboratory studies were obtained according to hospital clinical practice guidelines. In a retrospective analysis, EtCO₂ values were correlated with serum total CO₂ (stCO₂), venous pH (vpH), venous pCO₂ (vpCO₂), and calculated bicarbonate from venous blood gas (vHCO₃⁻). Results:

A total of 78 consecutive episodes of DKA in 72 patients aged 1-21 yr were monitored for 3-38 h with both capnography and laboratory testing, producing 334 comparisons. Initial values were as follows, reported as median (range): stCO₂, 11 (4-22) mmol/L; vpH, 7.281 (6.998-7.441); vpCO₂, 28.85 (9.3-43.3) mmHg; and vHCO₃⁻, 14 (3-25) mmol/L. EtCO₂ was correlated well with stCO₂ (r = 0.84, p < 0.001), vHCO₃⁻ (r = 0.84, p < 0.001), and vpCO₂ (r = 0.79, p < 0.001). Conclusions:

These data support the findings of previous studies limited to ED populations and suggest that non-invasive EtCO₂ monitoring is a valuable and reliable tool to continuously follow acidosis in the setting of the acutely ill pediatric patient with DKA. Continuous EtCO2 monitoring offers the practitioner an early warning system for unexpected changes in acidosis that augments the utility of intermittent blood gas determinations.

Keywords: capnography; diabetic ketoacidosis; human; metabolic acidosis; physiologic monitoring

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-5448.2006.00186.x

Affiliations: 1: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA 2: Department of Nursing, Children's Hospital, Boston, Boston, MA, USA

Publication date: 2006-08-01