1 The Department of Pediatrics of New York Medical College, Flower and Fifth Avenue Hospitals, and the Metropolitan Hospital, Department of Hospitals, New York City.
The circulation time with fluorescein has been determined in 90 normal newborn infants immediately after birth.
The umbilical vein-to-lip time was determined in 45 newborn infants. The mean circulation time was 4.8 ± 0.7 sec. with a range of 3.1 to 7.0 sec. The ductus venosus-to-lip time was determined in 45 newborn infants. The mean circulation time was 4.4 ± 0.6 sec. with a range of 3.3 to 5.8 sec.
Polyethylene tubing 0.047 internal diameter and 5% fluorescein 0.1 ml. in 5% sodium bicarbonate solution are recommended for the determination of circulation time in the newborn infant immediately after birth.
This determination is simple and accurate and may aid in the differential diagnosis of cyanosis of the newborn infant.
Submitted on December 3, 1949