Comparison of Neonatal Blood Pressure Measurement by Pulsoximetry and Conventional Method (Pulse)

Background: measurement of the blood pressure in neonates isn’t always easy and feasible by conventional method, although it is important and should be done by easy and precise method. Methods: we measured the blood pressure of 40 neonates, that were admitted at the neonatal phototherapy ward of Namazee hospital. The systolic Blood pressure of each baby was evaluated with pulse detecting method and pulse Oximetry during inflation of cuff while the neonate was quiet or asleep (by two people separately). Findings: There was significant correlation between the measured blood pressure by plethysmography waveform of pulse oximetry and pulse detecting method. The mean difference of BP by Puls oximetry and Pulse method was 9 mmHg and in 86-92% of neonates the measured BP by pulse had only 10 mmHg difference with the blood pressure by pulse oximery. Conclusions: This study showed that measuring of blood pressure by pulse oximetry can be applied in neonatal population and the measured blood pressure is 9 mm Hg higher than pulse method.