Systolic blood pressure and blood volume in preterm infants

Abstract

Blood volume and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured in 43 preterm infants. Mean (SD) blood volume was 83 (19) ml/kg (range 48-119) and SBP 50 (9) mm Hg (range 34-69), showing a significant overall relationship. Blood volume in infants with SBP >60 mm Hg (110 (6) ml/kg) was significantly higher than in infants with SBP 40-60 mm Hg (78 (16) ml/kg) and in infants with SBP <40 mm Hg (75 (10) ml/kg). In conclusion, SBP is of limited value in detecting hypovolaemia in very low birthweight infants.