Comparison of Transcutaneous and Blood CO₂ Measurement in Critically Ill Children

Comparison of Transcutaneous Carbon Dioxide Monitoring With Arterialized or Arterial Blood Gas Analysis in PICU

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT07468006

Enrollment

Registered

2026-03-12

Start date

2026-01-01

Completion date

2028-01-31

Last updated

2026-03-12

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Respiratory Insufficiency in Children

Keywords

pediatric intensive care, transcutaneous capnometry, carbon dioxide monitoring, blood gas analysis, vasopressors

Brief summary

Transcutaneous capnometry (tPCO₂) is a non-invasive method for continuous monitoring of ventilation status. In pediatric intensive care patients, it may reduce the need for repeated arterial or arterialized blood sampling. However, the accuracy of tPCO₂ may be influenced by factors such as peripheral perfusion, skin temperature, and vasopressor therapy. This prospective observational study compares transcutaneous carbon dioxide measurements with arterialized or arterial blood gas PaCO₂ values in children with respiratory insufficiency, including a subgroup receiving vasopressor support.

Detailed description

This prospective observational study will be conducted in a pediatric intensive care unit to assess agreement between transcutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring and arterialized or arterial blood gas analysis. Consecutive pediatric patients aged 1-18 years with respiratory insufficiency or impaired peripheral perfusion requiring vasopressor support will be included if repeated blood gas sampling is clinically indicated. Paired measurements of tPCO₂ and PaCO₂ will be analyzed using Bland-Altman methods with correction for repeated measures. Subgroup analyses will evaluate the influence of vasopressor therapy on measurement accuracy. Secondary analyses will compare tPO₂ and PaO₂ values. The study aims to define the clinical applicability and limitations of transcutaneous capnometry in critically ill pediatric patients.

Interventions

None listed

Study design

Observational model

COHORT

Time perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

1 Years to 18 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Age 1-18 years * Diagnosis of respiratory insufficiency or impaired peripheral perfusion * Expected need for more than one arterialized capillary or arterial blood gas sample * Admission to PICU

Exclusion criteria

* Repeated failure of sensor adhesion * Hypothermia \< 35 °C * Time difference \> ±5 minutes between tPCO₂ and blood sampling * Large tPCO₂ variability (\> ±1 kPa) in 15 minutes preceding blood sampling * Non-physiological tPCO₂ values incompatible with life

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Partial CO2 difference	periprocedural	Agreement between transcutaneous CO₂ (tPCO₂) and arterialized or arterial PaCO₂ assessed using Bland-Altman analysis (bias, SD, 95% limits of agreement).

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Proportion of pCO2	periprocedural	Proportion of tPCO₂ values within ±1 kPa of PaCO₂
Partial O2	periprocedural	Agreement between transcutaneous oxygen (tPO₂) and PaO₂
Vassopressor use	periprocedural	Subgroup analysis based on presence of vasopressor support

Countries

Czechia

Contacts

CONTACTHana Harazim, MD, PhD

hana.harazim@gmail.com+420777146704

Outcome results