Treatment of metabolic acidosis in the newborn. An observational and questionnaire study

Metabolic acidosis occurs commonly in newborn babies and a number of different treatments have been proposed. Observational and questionnaire- based studies are described. Significant changes in blood pH and base deficit were observed following administration of sodium bicarbonate solution but not after treatment with human albumin solution. Individual infants varied greatly in their response. The questionnaire study showed that many different treatments of metabolic acidosis are in use. There was no consensus regarding either the pH or base deficit at which treatment should be given or the optimal therapy in different disease states.