Central venous pressure and renal function in very low birth weight infants during the early neonatal period.

Objective: To observe central venous pressure (CVP) and to address the association with hemodynamic and renal parameters in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) during the early neonatal period.

Methods: CVP levels were prospectively measured every 4 h in VLBWI with an umbilical venous catheter for at least the initial 5 d of life. The association of CVP with mean blood pressure, serum B-type natriuretic peptide, serum creatinine, fluid intake, and urine output were analyzed.

Results: In 25 infants, the mean daily CVP (mCVP) value of 3.5 ± 2.2 mmHg did not change between day 1 and day 7 after birth. There were no significant correlations between mCVP and mean blood pressure, serum BNP, serum creatinine, fluid intake, and urine output over the total study period. However, the mCVP was significantly correlated with urine output and serum creatinine 96-144 h after birth.

Conclusions: After the transitional period, mCVP values were associated with renal function parameters in VLBWI.