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Metabolic acidosis in the first 14 days of life in infants of gestation less than 26 weeks

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Abstract

Extremely immature newborns develop a self-limiting normal anion gap metabolic acidosis in early life. This study examined the natural history of this acidosis in a population of infants of gestation less than 26 weeks in the first 14 days of life. The acidosis was maximal on day 4 with a mean base deficit of 10.6 mmol/l and had resolved in 90 % of infants by day 11. Dopamine usage was the only independent predictor of the acidosis. Its use was associated with a greater degree of acidosis. Conclusion: Extremely preterm infants experience a self-limiting normal anion gap metabolic acidosis in the first 2 weeks of life which is consistent with renal tubular immaturity.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NICU, Waikato Hospital, Pembroke St, Hamilton, New Zealand

    David Bourchier & Philip John Weston

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  1. David Bourchier
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  2. Philip John Weston
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Correspondence to David Bourchier.

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Communicated by Peter de Winter

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Bourchier, D., Weston, P.J. Metabolic acidosis in the first 14 days of life in infants of gestation less than 26 weeks. Eur J Pediatr 174, 49–54 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-014-2364-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-014-2364-9

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