Comparison of sodium ion levels between an arterial blood gas analyzer and an autoanalyzer in preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit: a retrospective study

摘要

Background The difference in sodium ion levels determined with direct and indirect methods often exceeds the permissible limit clinically. Additionally, no previous study has assessed the difference in the sodium ion levels between direct and indirect methods in premature infants. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare sodium ion levels obtained using an arterial blood gas analyzer (ABGA; direct method) and an autoanalyzer (indirect method) to determine whether they are equivalent in premature infants. Methods The present retrospective study included 450 preterm infants (weight, Results The mean sodium ion levels were 134.6?±?3.5?mmol/L using the ABGA and 138.8?±?4.7?mmol/L using the autoanalyzer ( P 4?mmol/L between the two methods (odds ratio?=?2.870, P Conclusion The sodium ion levels determined using the ABGA and the autoanalyzer might not be equivalent in premature infants admitted to the NICU. Therefore, clinicians should be careful when diagnosing sodium ion imbalance in premature infants and providing treatment.