Correlation of arterial and venous blood gas analysis in respiratory failure in children

Arterial and venous blood gases provide similar and very close measurements in terms of PH, pCO2, HCO3, pO2 levels. The study aims to investigate correlation of arterial and venous blood gas analysis in respiratory failure caused by pneumonia in children.

This cross-sectional study employed a consecutive sampling method from pediatric patients experiencing respiratory failure. Point of Care (POCT) was used to examine blood gas analysis.

There was no significant difference between pH artery and venous with p = 0,232 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -14.628-59,488). The Mean difference between arterial and venous pH was 0,22 with a strong Spearman correlation of 0,643 (p < 0,001). There was a significant difference between arterial and venous pCO2 with p = 0,022 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -8,7- (− 0,69)). The mean difference between arterial and venous pCO2 was 4,69 with a moderate Spearman correlation of 0,485 (p < 0,001). There was no significant difference between arterial and venous HCO3 with p = 0,38. The Mean difference between arterial and venous HCO3 was 3,1 with a very strong Spearman correlation of 0,848 (p < 0,001). There was a very significant difference between arterial and venous pO2 with p < 0,001. The Mean difference between arterial and venous pO2 was 27,4 with a weak Spearman correlation of 0,17 (p = 0,117).

There was strong correlation between arterial and venous pH, a moderate correlation between arterial and venous pCO2, a very strong correlation between arterial and venous HCO3 and a very weak correlation between arterial and venous pO2 using POCT.