Hemoglobin ratio as a forgotten parameter for automatic feedback control systems in preterm neonates

Abstract

This paper deals with the analysis of the relationship between fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and adult hemoglobin (HbA) in preterm infants as a function of the gestational week and newborn weight based on the available literature. The role of other parameters on the shift and shape of the OHDC curve is also discussed. The function could be useful when dynamic development of OHDC in a neonate occurs in emergencies such as blood transfusions. The main idea is to incorporate the dynamic evolution of the hemoglobin conversion as a mathematical function into existing models of oxygenation in preterm neonates or into automatic feedback control algorithms of oxygenation. This could help further individualize and optimize the oxygenation settings of preterm neonates.

Keywords

• fetal hemoglobin ratio
• preterm infants
• automatic control of oxygenation
• computer modeling