Original Article
Journal of Perinatology (2006) 26, 337–341. doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7211500; published online 6 April 2006
Pulse oximetry in very low birth weight infants: can oxygen saturation be maintained in the desired range?
A R Laptook1, W Salhab2, J Allen3, S Saha4 and M Walsh5
- 1Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA
- 2University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- 3Parkland Hospital, Dallas, TX, USA
- 4Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- 5Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Correspondence: Dr AR Laptook, Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, 101 Dudley Street, Suite 1100, Providence, RI 02905, USA. E-mail: alaptook@wihri.org
Received 3 November 2005; Revised 27 February 2006; Accepted 6 March 2006; Published online 6 April 2006.
Abstract
Objective:
To determine if a change in the pulse oximeter goal range and high alarm limit for oxygen saturation (SpO2) alters the distribution of SpO2 for premature infants in oxygen.
Study design:
This was a prospective, observational analysis. For group 1 (February 2002 to April 2002, n=23), pulse oximeter alarms were set at 80% (low) and 96% (high), and the goal range was 90–95%. For group 2 (May 2002 to August 2003, n=49), the high alarm was lowered to 94%, and the goal range was 88 to 94%. The SpO2 values for 24 h were downloaded from Nellcor pulse oximeters during the two periods and the percent time within, above and below the goal range was derived and compared.
Results:
Groups were similar except for use of post-natal steroids (group 2>1). The percent time within (57.7
9.8 vs 59.412.4%), above (15.410.6 vs 149.4%) and below (26.99.7 vs 26.610.2%) the goal range was similar for groups 1 and 2, respectively. However, the percent time with SpO2 <80% increased significantly for group 2 (4.02.7 vs 1.91.4%).
Conclusions:
Changes in pulse oximeter policy and alarms in labile, sick premature infants need evaluation for their effects on the distribution of SpO2 values before routine use.
Keywords:
pulse oximetry, oxygen saturation, oxygenation, premature infants
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