Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation
  • Published:

Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation

False-positive results on colorimetric carbon dioxide analysis in neonatal resuscitation: potential for serious patient harm

Journal of Perinatology volume 27, pages 800–801 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

A term infant requiring resuscitation was found to have a false-positive color change on a colorimetric carbon dioxide device as a result of administration of epinephrine via an endotracheal tube. Using models of direct application and vapor exposure with a test lung, we discovered that epinephrine, atropine, infasurf and naloxone may result in false-positive color change. This false-positive response may lead to delayed recognition of esophageal intubation.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Repetto JE, Donohue PA-CPK, Baker SF, Kelly L, Nogee LM . Use of capnography in the delivery room for assessment of endotracheal tube placement. J Perinatol 2001; 21: 284–287.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. ECC Committee, Subcommittees and Task Forces of the American Heart Association. American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Circulation 2005; 112(24 Suppl): IV1–IV203.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Molloy EJ, Deakins K . Are carbon dioxide detectors useful in neonates? Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2006; 91: F295–F298.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hayden SR, Sciammarella J, Viccellio P, Thode H, Delagi R . Colorimetric end-tidal CO2 detector for verification of endotracheal tube placement in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Acad Emerg Med 1995; 2: 499–502.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Young TE, Mangum B . (eds). Neofax. Acorn Publishing Raleigh: NC, 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Zaichkin J . NRP 2006: what you should know. Neonatal Netw 2006; 25: 145–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Roberts WA, Maniscalco WM, Cohen AR, Litman RS, Chhibber A . The use of capnography for recognition of esophageal intubation in the neonatal intensive care unit. Pediatr Pulmonol 1995; 19: 262–268.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eudowood Neonatal Pulmonary Division, Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    S M Hughes, B L Blake, S L Woods & C U Lehmann

Authors
  1. S M Hughes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B L Blake
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S L Woods
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C U Lehmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C U Lehmann.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hughes, S., Blake, B., Woods, S. et al. False-positive results on colorimetric carbon dioxide analysis in neonatal resuscitation: potential for serious patient harm. J Perinatol 27, 800–801 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211831

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211831

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links