Individualised pulse oximetry limits in neonatal intensive care. Issue 3 (1st November 1999)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gupta, R; Yoxall, C W; Subhedar, N; Shaw, N J
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 81:Issue 3(1999)
• Page Start: F194
• Page End: F196
• Publication Date: 1999-11-01
• Subjects: pulse oximetry -- intensive care -- hypoxia -- hyperoxia; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920105
• DOI: 10.1136/fn.81.3.F194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-2998

Abstract

Abstract : AIM: To determine whether individualised limits for arterial oxyhaemaglobin saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2 ) are more effective for detecting hypoxia and hyperoxia in sick newborn infants than setting fixed limits. METHODS: Six hundred and ninety two simultaneous measurements of SpO2 and partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2 ) were made in 95 infants. The sensitivity and specificity for predicting hypoxia and hyperoxia using various fixed SpO2 limits and also individualised SpO2 limits, calculated using a standard equation, were determined and compared. RESULTS: None of the fixed limits for SpO2 was both sensitive and specific for predicting hypoxia and/or hyperoxia. There was no difference between these and individualised limits. CONCLUSION: Individualised SpO2 limits are no more effective than fixed SpO2 limits for predicting hypoxia and/or hyperoxia in sick newborn infants. SpO2 monitoring is not an ideal method for assessing PaO2 .