Colloid osmotic pressure values of respiratory insufficiency in neonates of various gestational ages. Comparative presentation of measured and calculated values

: Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) is an important physiochemical factor in intercompartmental body fluid movements. In actual medical practise COP is notably measured in adult intensive care patients to control oncotic fluid therapy. Recent advances in oncometry technics led to rapid and accurate COP determinations also on very small sample volumes of neonatal intensive care patients. In 47 preterm and term newborns we determined during the first 9 days of life COP changes of calculated and measured values. The COP of patients with respiratory distress was compared to COP levels of newborns without respiratory problems. Until the sixth day of life preterm and term newborns with respiratory insufficiency showed significantly lower COP than normal newborns. The poorest correlation between measured and calculated COP was found in preterm infants with need of respiratory support therapy. During the whole observation period a rise of COP could be observed in all gestational age groups. This tendency should be considered before and during albumin therapy in newborns to avoid oncotic fluid overload, e.g. in a preterm infant. When volume replacement therapy is required in very young patients we advise measurement of COP as a guide to fluid selection.