Perfusion index in preterm newborns during the first week of life and association with neonatal morbimortality: a prospective observational study

Abstract

Introduction: Perfusion index (PI) is a noninvasive method of peripheral perfusion measurement. Previous publications suggest that PI might be an useful and accurate predictor of morbidity and mortality risk in preterm newborns. This study aims: 1) to assess the PI values of preterm newborns ( 2 (n = 10, 16.7%). Median PI values were found to be significantly lower in newborns with an adverse outcome (0.90 vs. 0.70 at 24 hours; 0.87 vs. 0.72 at 48 hours; 0.91 vs. 0.79 at 72 hours; and 0.90 vs. 0.80 at 168 hours) and/or death in neonatal period (0.87 vs. 0.55 at 1 hour; 0.80 vs. 0.70 at 24 hours; 0.81 vs. 0.55 at 48 hours; 0.88 vs. 0.74 at 72 hours; and 0.89 vs. 0.49 at 168 hours). Conclusions: PI values differed according to gestational age and to the presence of comorbidities, confirming that it might represent a valuable tool in the early identification of adverse outcomes in the neonatal period.

Keywords

• perfusion index
• pulse oximeter
• post-ductal
• pre­term
• mortality
• morbidity