Is It Time to Reconsider Transcutaneous CO2 Monitoring for [...]

In a small baby unit, transcutaneous CO2 monitoring can support care teams in delivering the high level of care preterm babies require. The technology provides continuous CO2 monitoring, supporting timely assessments of respiratory status to aid in protecting the vulnerable brains and lungs of neonatal patients.

In the Pediatric Sleep Center at Nemours Children’s Hospital, transcutaneous CO2 monitoring is a valuable tool that we use for both routine and complex cases. By providing continuous monitoring of CO2, this tool enables our team to see patients’ ventilatory status throughout the night and monitor for hypoventilation.

In a small baby unit, transcutaneous CO2 monitoring can support care teams in delivering the high level of care preterm babies require. The technology provides continuous CO2 monitoring, supporting timely assessments of respiratory status to aid in protecting the vulnerable brains and lungs of neonatal patients.

A growing body of research raises an important question: Are patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure being adequately managed? For these individuals, the presence of elevated CO2 levels alongside normal or near-normal pH levels — a result of renal compensation — is often overlooked. However, recent findings may indicate the need for a more proactive approach to CO2 management for these patients.

For many with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), including 16-year-old Stella Turnbull, effective airway clearance therapy is crucial, as even simple respiratory illnesses can become dangerous. Diagnosed with SMA shortly after birth, Stella relies on intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV) therapy as a key part of her daily routine. By offering a proactive approach to her at-home respiratory care, IPV therapy empowers Stella and her family to embrace an active and fulfilling lifestyle with confidence.

In the NICU, critically ill and premature babies receive specialized, around-the-clock care to support their fragile health. This often means using respiratory support to help with their breathing, especially important for little ones with underdeveloped or compromised lungs. This level of care requires constant vigilance from NICU teams, as these patients can have rapid changes in their respiratory status, and are also at risk for lung damage from respiratory support. By using transcutaneous CO2 monitoring, NICU teams can keep a constant eye on their status, which helps them fine-tune and optimize the support they need.

With product features designed for the sleep lab, the Sentec Transcutaneous Monitoring System combines ease of use and patient comfort with accurate values regardless of ventilation method or ventilation perfusion (V/Q) mismatch.

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