The Effect of Circumcision on Transcutaneous PO2 in Term Infants

• To assess the effect of pain on Pao₂ in newborns, transcutaneous Po₂ (tcPo₂) was monitored in ten healthy male infants undergoing circumcision. The tcPo₂ was seen to decrease to a lower level with pain and to remain low with continuing pain. After the circumcision, the tcPo₂ increased to levels equal to or exceeding those of the preoperative baseline period. Close concordance of tcPo₂ above and below the waist demonstrated no right-to-left shunting through the ductus arteriosus.

(Am J Dis Child 134:676-678, 1980)