Transcutaneous oxygen (tcPO2) measurements as an aid to fluid therapy in necrotizing enterocolitis.

Impaired peripheral perfusion is a major problem in necrotizing enterocolitis with delayed recognition and definite documentation being primary factors. While blood pressure and other clinical measurements may improperly estimate the severity of the problem, changes in transcutaneous oxygen measurements and their relationship to arterial oxygen (the tcPO2/PaO2 ratio) potentially afford a sensitive measurement of peripheral perfusion. Experience in our unit confirms a close relationship between tcPO2/ and PaO2 being 0.