Oxygen Therapy in the Newborn

Distending pressure in infants with respiratory distress syndrome

“…In most infants early assessment of severity was carried out using the hyperoxia test (nitrogen washout test). The inability to achieve an arterial Po2 of -100 torr while breathing pure oxygen, within the first 6 hours, used to carry a poor prognosis (Boston, Geller, and Smith, 1966;Roberton et al, 1968). To allow comparisons between arterial oxygen tensions at different alveolar oxygen concentrations the alveolar-arterial 771 oxygen difference (A-aDo2) was calculated, using the alveolar air equation and assuming a respiratory quotient of 0-8.…”

Effect of acute hypoxia on blood pressure and electroencephalogram of newborn babies.

“…Hg), even if high environmental oxygen concentrations are required (Roberton et al, 1968). By this means it is hoped to prevent the increased mortality associated with restricted oxygen usage (Avery and Oppenheimer, 1960) and possibly to limit the incidence and severity of brain damage in survivors (McDonald, 1963;1967).…”

Retinal Vasoconstriction in Premature Infants with Increased Arterial Oxygen Tensions

“…Our findings show that the absence of extreme vasospasm is not an indication that the Pao2 is within safe limits (Roberton et al, 1968). Moreover, the majority of infants with respiratory distress are immature and still have a tunica vasculosa lentis.…”