Tochen reported an equation for estimating the insertion depth of an endotracheal tube in a neonate.
Patient selection: neonate
Parameters:
(1) body weight in kilograms
depth of insertion in cm =
= (1.17 * (weight)) + 5.58
The 7-8-9 rule comes from the estimated depth for a 1, 2 and 3 kg neonate respectively.
The equation works fairly well for infants above 750 grams. For infants < 750 grams the depth tends to be overestimated (below the midtracheal position).
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