[Use of capnography in acute gastroenteritis].

OBJECTIVE: End-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO(2)) is a good predictor of circulation and metabolism. There are different studies that suggest PetCO(2) monitoring is a valuable and reliable tool to follow acidosis in pediatric patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. Acute gastroenteritis can cause acidosis, therefore, capnography could be useful in these situations. The objective was to determine the relationship between PetCO(2) and bicarbonate (HCO3) in pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis and acidosis.

METHODS: Clinical, prospective, observational study from April 2006 to January 2007. Children with acute gastroenteritis and dehydration and pH < 7.30 and HCO3 < 20 meq/L in laboratory tests were included. Exclusion criteria included patients with not well tolerated capnography and respiratory illness. Initial and post treatment PetCO(2) and HCO3 were collected as well as demographic data, physical examination data, laboratory tests and hospitalization data.

RESULTS: Twenty-five children were included in the final analysis (10 female, 15 male). The mean age was 11.6 + 10 months (1-144 months). The correlation between PetCO(2) and serum bicarbonate was statistically significant with a Pearson's correlation coefficient of r = 0.61 for initial values and r = 0.75 for post treatment values.

CONCLUSIONS: Capnography offers a noninvasive measurement of acidosis in pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis and dehydration.