Determination of blood pressure in newborns <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Objective: To describe the recommendations for the determination of the blood pressure in newborn, the methods and the devices. Sources of data: Review of medical articles about blood pressure in newborn published in the last twenty years (database: Medline, PubMed) and original articles about the flush method. Summary of the findings: Several factors complicate the measures and interpretation of the blood pressure in newborns, like variable size of the upper arm, difficulty in tearful newborn and variation in the blood pressure regarding the weight and gestational age. The measure of the blood pressure should be performed preferentially in the right upper arm, with cuff size corresponding to 40% of the circumference of the upper arm and that involves 80% to 100% of the respective extremity. Nowadays, noninvasive measurements methods of the blood pressure feel well spread, especially the use of oscillometric automatic. Moreover, the antique flush method and pulse oximetry techniques have been being cited in the literature. Like more important limitation to meets itself the validation absence of the devices in neonatology, especially in the oscillometrics devices. Conclusions: Two important elements for obtainment of exact blood pressures are a calm baby and a adequate cuff size and all described methods are adequate for measurement of the blood pressure. KEY WORDS: BLOOD PRESSURE DETERMINATION/ methods; BLOOD PRESSURE DETERMINATION/instrumentation; INFANT, NEWBORN; HYPOTENSION; HYPERTENSION INFANT NEWBORN; PREMATURE.