complications

Last reviewed 01/2018

Complications result from a variety of gas abnormalities:

  • high PO2 can predispose to retinopathy of prematurity
  • low PO2 can cause cerebral hypoxia, which together with low CO2 resulting in cerebral vasospasm can increase cerebral hypoxia and increase the risk of intraventricular haemorrhage

Complications can also arise from the act of ventilation itself:

  • bronchopulmonary dysplasia
  • complications associated with any relatively invasive procedure, for example infection, trauma, etc.