Comparative evaluation of pH, pCO2 and pO2 from arterial and capillary blood samples during the first two weeks of life (author's transl)]

193 determinations of pH, pCO2 and pO2 have been performed simultaneously on arterial and capillary blood samples in 22 mature and premature infants 1 to 2 weeks old. Despite good agreement of arterial and capillary pH and pCO2 values no such results could be found in pO2 values. In cases of oxygen therapy especially if positive endexspiratory pressures are used control of oxygen tension should be done exclusively from arterial and not from capillary blood samples.