Adverse effects of routine procedures on preterm infants.

Continuous monitoring of arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) in sick neonates has shown that handling the baby for reason often causes a fall in PaO2. Although the baby usually recovers spontaneously, a series of procedures one following closely upon the other may cause a prolonged fall in PaO2 necessitating respiratory support. This survey showed that infants were being disturbed at hourly or more frequent intervals, often for routine purposes, some of which do not justify the resulting hypoxia. Even simple procedures which are part of neonatal intensive care are hazardous and their routine use should be reconsidered.