A STUDY OF PERFUSION INDEX IN PRETERM AND TERM BABIES

Background and objectives: PI is a numeric value that is obtained from the ratio between pulsatile signal, set by arterial blood flow, and non pulsatile signal generated by skin, venous blood flow, and other local issues. Perfusion index is easily applicable, non-invasive, and continuous parameter that reflects changes in the cardiac output and vasomotor tone.

Objectives: 1) To establish baseline PI values in healthy term and preterm infants .

2) Correlation of PI with birth weight .

3) Comparison of PI value for normal and sick newborns in both term and preterm.

Methodology: This is a prospective observational study done between August 2022 to August 2023 (12 months),with sample size of 69 . Median PI value are obtained from the average of PI values recorded at 6-second intervals for a minimum of 2 minutes, 2 times a day for a duration of 3 days.Thus PI values are obtained in both sick term and preterm babies were compared with the PI values obtained in healthy term and preterm.

Results: In the present study, the mean PI was 1.32 ± 0.82 with a range of 1.12 - 1.52.    

The mean perfusion index among preterm was 0.98 ±0.49 and the term was 1.52 ±0.91. The perfusion index was greater among term newborns compared to preterm with statistical significance. (P=0.007)

Conclusion: PI values differed according to gestational age and to the presence of comorbidities, confirming that it might represent a valuable tool in the early identification of adverse outcomes in neonates.