ARTERIAL BLOOD GASES AND ACID-BASE BALANCE IN NORMAL CHILDREN 1

Abstract

Blood gases, O2 saturation and acid-base balance were detd. in arterial blood samples from normal children of both sexes aged 2-10 yrs. and in boys aged 11-17 yrs. Hemoglobin concn. was measured by the O2 capacity, and was found to increase with age from 12.3 g./100 ml. at 2 yrs. to 14.7 g./100 ml. at 15-17 yrs. The mean O2 saturation of 94.2% at 2-4 yrs. was significantly lower than 95.8% for children 7-17 yrs. The CO2 content rose from 40.1 vol. % at 2 and 3 yrs. to 48.5 vol. % in the adult. The alkaline reserve of the blood and plasma also increase with age, and at 13 yrs. of age, the arterial CO2 tension increases from the previous level of 38 mm. Hg to the adult level of 41 mm. Hg. In young children of 2 and 3 yrs., displacement of the acid-base balance from the adult pattern is in the direction of metabolic acidosis. Between 4-11 yrs. there is a slight acid excess and CO2 deficit. In boys over 12 yrs. the acid-base pattern is shifted toward a slight CO2 excess.