Journal of perinatal medicine
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Observational Study
Measurement of inotropy and systemic oxygen delivery in term, low- and very-low-birth-weight neonates using the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor (USCOM).
Background The aim of this study was to assess the normal values of the Smith-Madigan inotropy index (SMII) and oxygen delivery index (DO2I) in low-birth-weight (LBW) and very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) newborns on the first 3 days of life, and to identify how different degrees of maturity influence cardiovascular alterations during the transitional period compared with term neonates. Methods Twenty-eight VLBW newborns, 46 LBW newborns and 50 normal full-term newborns admitted to our department were studied. Hemodynamics of the left heart were measured in all neonates over the first 3 days using the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor (USCOM). ⋯ SMII and DO2I were significantly lower in VLBW neonates during the first 72 h of life. With increasing birth weight, higher myocardial inotropy and DO2 were found. The addition of USCOM examination to standard neonatal echocardiography may provide further important information regarding cardiac function.