This page is part of the 10N-Matrix for a high quality conduct of pediatric anesthesia care.
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Definition
Normal oxygen tension in the blood. Adequate oxygen supply permits aerobic metabolism.
Importance
Hypoxemia is commonly encountered during pediatric anesthesia. Prolonged hypoxemia may lead to adverse short and long-term outcomes.
Hyperoxemia is iatrogenic and may result in the production of reactive oxygen species affecting normal organ function.
Consequences
Acute and chronic changes in oxygen tensions results in physiologically and clinically relevant tissue perfusion and organ dysfunction.
Hypoxemia
Hypoxemia may result in severe tissue hypoxia, bradycardia, cerebral and other organ hypoperfusion.
Hyperoxemia
Prolonged hyperoxemia may affect organ development and function such as retinopathy of prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Prevention
- aim to achieve adequate oxygen tensions
- acute hypoxia is commonly a result of difficulties and critical incidences during airway and ventilation management
Prevention requires:
- regular teaching and training
- equipment and drugs
- suitable staffing
- assessment und preparation of patient
- local algorithms for the (un)expected / risky airway difficulties should be established.
- establish regulation for delivery of adequate FiO2 and ventilation management
Key references
- Habre W, Peták F. Perioperative use of oxygen: variabilities across age. Br J Anaesth. 2014 Dec;113 Suppl 2:ii26-36.
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- No Fear / No Awareness
- Normovolemia
- Normotension
- Normal Heart Rate
- Normoxemia
- Normocapnia
- Normonatremia
- Normoglycemia
- Normothermia
- No Postoperative Discomfort: