There is little information on oxygen saturation (SaO2) values in children in developing countries.
Aim: To determine the reference values for oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry in healthy children living at sea level in Chennai and aged between 1 mth and 5 yrs.
Design and setting: A prospective study was conducted in Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital from February to May 2005.
Methods: A total of 626 healthy children aged between 1 mth and 5 yrs were examined for heart rate, respiratory rate and SaO2.
Results: The mean SaO2 levels for children in the age groups 1-3 mths, 3 mths to 1 yr, 1-3 years and 3-5 years were 98.5%, 98.8%, 98.9% and 99.1%, respectively. The overall mean and median SaO(2) values for the children in the different age groups were 99%. The mean -2 SD values of oxygen saturation in the age groups were 96.5%, 96.4%, 96.3% and 97.1%, respectively, with an overall mean of 96.6%.
Conclusion: The reference value for mean SaO2 in healthy children aged between 1 mth and 5 yrs and living at sea level in Chennai city was 98.5% or more, but the -2SD values had a mean of 96.6%.