MONITORING OF DUCTAL DEPENDENT LESIONS IN THE NICU
All newborns with ductal dependent cardiac defects requiring prostaglandin infusion
(regardless of whether they are ventilated or not)Minimum lab work:
EVERY 8 HOURS arterial blood gases
EVERY 24 HOURS electrolytes, BUN and creatinine and calcium (total or ionized)If an infant has no arterial line, lab frequency can be modified, but consideration
should be given to daily laboratory monitoring of acid base status and electrolyte
profile.Sign-out of these infants off shift should include the acceptable parameters for the
laboratory work that will be done and who to contact (sub-specialty services) for
changes in clinical status.REGIONAL SATURATION (i.e. BRAIN & RENAL) MONITORING
Under normal conditions:
Oxygen consumption in the brain should be greater than that of the kidney.
For example, if the pulse ox is reading 80%, the brain regional sat monitor should
be about 20 points lower (60). The renal sat monitor should be 5-10 points lower (70-
75).