| Description |
Seven neonates, ranging from 28 to 31 weeks were studied, utilizing the Litton transcutaneous Po-2 oxymonitor, in an attempt to determine the relationship between transcutaneous Po-2 (minute to minute variability) and varying degrees or stages of respiratory distress syndrome. Primary physiological pulmonary data--transcutaneous Po-2 was recorded for two data collections periods, corresponding to different degrees/stages of respiratory distress syndrome. Each collection period lasted one hour with transcutaneous Po-2 recorded every minute (60 seconds), for a total of one hour. The central tendency measure utilized in this study to yield values describing the entire distribution, was the mean of transcutaneous Po-2 minute to minute readings for both data collection periods. There were no substantial inferences or relationsips seen between the lesser or greater degree/stages of respiratory distress syndrome and the mean transcutaneous Po-2 of each subject. Variances about the mean process were calculated for each subject at both collection periods. In addition, the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used in order to test whether overall (all subjects), variance of greater degrees/stages of respiratory distress syndrome were significant less, then the variance of the lesser degree/stages of respiratory distress syndrome of vice versa (p ~ .039). first order autocorrelation (P) was calculated, to determine, if possible, the pattern of dependence of each measurement in the previous transcutaneous Po-2 of successive pairs. Autocorrelation was indeed a factor with values of P ranging from .497 - .960, compared to a positive correlation of one. Autocorrelation for subjects 5 and 7 increased substantially from the lesser degree of respiratory distress syndrome (subject 5, = .497; subject 7, = .951), Both of these subject died. Because of the positive autocorrelation found in this study, this author concludes that in order to determine the significance of transcutaneous Po-2 minute to minute variability and respiratory distress syndrome, a more indepth study utilizing 30 or more subjects and a time series model, would be needed to account for all variables encountered in the study. |
