Blood pressure is one of the first signs that your infant may be getting sick. That’s why obtaining accurate and reliable blood pressure measurements is essential to the neonate. It is absolutely necessary to use the correct size blood pressure cuff that corresponds to the size of the infant. In the NICU, blood pressure cuffs typically range from size 1-5 depending on your facility and product/brand that they use!
A standard protocol for blood pressure measurements in preterm infants includes:
♥ <24 weeks gestation: Systolic 50-65. Diastolic 24-40. MAP 24-30.
♥ 24-28 weeks gestation: Systolic 50-60. Diastolic 22-35. MAP 24-35.
♥ 29-32 weeks gestation: Systolic 50-60. Diastolic 24-35. MAP 30-40.
♥ 32-36 weeks gestation: Systolic 50-60. Diastolic 24-35. MAP 30-50.
♥ >36 weeks gestation: Systolic 50-90. Diastolic 28-40. MAP 35-45.
