Introduction Early maternal-neonatal skin to skin contact at birth has been shown to favour mother-infant bonding and breastfeeding. Few reports have pointed neonatal adverse events including respiratory arrest and death. This study evaluates the acceptance of a wireless, neonatal pulse oxymetry monitoring.

Patients and Methods 43 healthy neonates were included in 4 hospitals. The monitoring system -the BBA bootee-TAM-Telesante®- included a bootee (composed of a pulse oximeter sensor, an accelerometer to detect motion-related artefacts and a hertzian transmitter) a monitor and a portable warning device. Data from the wireless monitoring system were compared to standard SpO2 obtained with a Nellcor® -Oxymax N-65 pulse oximeter, as a standard. Parental informed consent was obtained and the study was approved by the local ethics committee. Statistical analysis was performed using Bland & Altmann test and linear regression analysis.

Results 43 paired 75 minutes recordings were analysed. Mean (+standard deviation) differences between both systems were 1.1 + 2.1 and 0.6 + 3.1% for SpO2 and pulse rate, respectively. Linear correlation tests results for SpO2 and pulse rate were 0.6 and 1.0 respectively. The proportion of time when the pulse oxymetry signal was unavailable, due to movements detected by the accelerometer, was 4 fold less with the tested, wireless system. No adverse events were noted. Monitoring system tolerance, ergonomics and parental satisfaction were considered satisfactory.

Conclusion Neonatal monitoring during skin to skin contact with the mother at birth is feasible and well tolerated by use of a light, baby friendly and wireless pulse oxymetry system.