Neonate capillary blood gas reference values

Objectives: Because biological data are instrument-dependent and because technology has evolved over the last two decades, the published capillary blood reference values for blood gases, lactate, ionized calcium (iCa) and glucose may not reflect the present day situation. Hence, we report such values for healthy term neonates at 48 ± 12 h of life. Design and methods: The Institution Ethics Review Board for Research on Human Subjects has accepted the protocol. Extra blood sample was obtained at the time heel-pricks were performed in the frame of the Quebec genetic screening program. One hundred twenty-six term neonates (39.6 ± 1.2 weeks of gestation) were included in the study. pH, pO2, pCO2, lactate, ionized calcium and glucose were simultaneously measured with selective electrodes on the ABL 735 blood gas analyzer (Radiometer®). Results: All variables exhibited a Gaussian distribution. Since there was no gender effect, all data were pooled.