Blood pressure variation with gestational age and birth weight in Indian newborn

Abstract

Prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of India over 8 months to measure blood pressure (BP) in healthy term and preterm neonates using oscillometric method and explore the associations with gestational age and birth weight. Consecutive BP measurements were taken by standard oscillometric method on 1617 neonates on day 4, 7 and 14 of life. Mean birth weight was 2.7 ± 0.46 kg, and mean gestational age was 38.2 ± 2.12 weeks. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) on day 4, 7 and 14 were 59.3 ± 7.33, 63.2 ± 6.55 and 66.4 ± 6.13 mmHg, respectively. Larger and mature newborns had significantly higher BP than those who were smaller and premature. Birth weight more strongly correlated with MAP than gestational age. Predictive equations linking MAP with gestational age and birth weight were deduced, which can be used for judicious fluid inotrope management.

Keywords: birth weight; blood pressure; gestational age; mean arterial pressure; newborn.