Monitoring of end tidal CO2 in neonatal intensive care.

The use of monitoring end tidal carbon dioxide pressure (PetCO2) in neonatal intensive care was studied in 19 infants with respiratory disease. PetCO2 correlated poorly with arterial pCO2, the relation being principally determined by the severity of pulmonary disease. Monitoring end tidal CO2 cannot be recommended for neonates with pulmonary disease.