correcting blood gas problems in ventilation

Last reviewed 01/2018

The blood gases that can be directly altered in a ventilated neonate are the partial pressures of O2 and CO2. Other blood gas properties such as pH may be altered; bicarbonate is more a factor of renal function and degree of metabolic acidosis.

Note that the aim is not normality of blood gases, but attempting to keep the gases from being grossly abnormal.