Comparison of sodium ion levels between an arterial blood gas analyzer and an autoanalyzer in preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit: a retrospective study

Background The difference in sodium ion levels determined with direct and indirect methods often exceeds the permissible limit clinically. Additionally, no previous study has assessed the difference in the sodium ion levels between direct and indirect methods in premature infants. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare sodium ion levels obtained using an arterial blood gas analyzer (ABGA; direct method) and an autoanalyzer (indirect method) to determine whether they are equivalent in premature infants.