Abstract
Our objective was to determine arterial oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2) in healthy term neonates during their first 4 weeks of life. Overnight recordings of SpO2 (Nellcor N200), photoplethysmographic (pulse) wave-forms from the oximeter and breathing movements were performed in 60 term infants. They were studied initially during their 1st week of life (median age 4 days, range 1–7) and then again during their 2nd–4th week (median age 17 days, range 8–27). Median baseline SpO2, measured during regular breathing, was 97.6% (range 92–100) during week 1 versus 98.0% (86.6–100) during week 2–4 (P>0.05). Episodes of desaturation, defined as a fall in SpO2 to ≤80% for ≥4 s, were found in 35% of recordings obtained in week 1 compared to 60% of those obtained in week 2–4 (P<0.01). Their frequency increased from a median of 0 (0–41) per 12 h of recording at the initial recording to 1 (0–165) at follow up (P<0.01). Analysis of the data by week of life showed a peak in desaturation frequency in the 2nd week of life. The infants with extreme values at follow-up (e.g. a baseline SpO2 of 86.6%, 5th percentile 91.9%, or a desaturation frequency of 165 per 12 h of recording, 95th percentile 32) had had values well within the normal range during their initial recording (a baseline SpO2 of 94.4%, or a desaturation frequency of 4). Most of the desaturations in the infants with extreme values were associated with periodic apnoea. These results demonstrate only relatively minor developmental changes in oxygenation in term neonates during the first 4 weeks of life. The clinical significance of outlying values, i.e. a low baseline SpO2 or a high number of episodic desaturations, remains to be determined.
Conclusion
These healthy term neonates had values for baseline oxygen saturation and desaturation frequency that were not substantially different from those observed in older infants.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- SpO 2 :
-
arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry
References
Anders T, Emde R, Parmelee A (1971) A manual of standardized terminology techniques and criteria for scoring of states of sleep and wakefulness in newborn infants. Los Angeles: UCLA Brain Information Service
Keens TG, Davidson Ward SL, Gates EP, et al (1986) A comparison of pneumogram recordings in infants in the hospital and at home. Pediatr Pulmonol 2:373–377
Mok JYQ, McLauglin FJ, Pintar M, Hak H, Amaro-Galvez R, Levison H (1986) Transcutaneous monitoring of oxygenation: what is normal? J Pediatr 108:365–371
Niermeyer S, Shaffer EM, Thilo E, Corbin C, Grindlay Moore L (1993) Arterial oxygenation and pulmonary arterial pressure in healthy neonates and infants at high altitude. J Pediatr 123:767–772
Poets CF, Southall DP (1994) Non-invasive monitoring of oxygenation in infants and children: practical considerations and areas of concern. Pediatrics 93:737–746
Poets CF, Stebbens VA, Southall DP (1991) Arterial oxygen saturation and breathing movements during the first year of life. J Dev Physiol 15:341–345
Poets CF, Stebbens VA, Alexander JR, Arrowsmith WA, Salfield SAW, Southall DP (1991) Oxygen saturation and breathing patterns in infancy. 2. Preterm infants at discharge from special care. Arch Dis Child 66:574–578
Poets CF, Stebbens VA, Alexander JR, Arrowsmith WA, Salfield SAW, Southall DP (1992) Arterial oxygen saturation in preterm infants: normal values at discharge from the hospital and 6 weeks later. J Pediatr 120:447–454
Prod'hom LS, Levison H, Cherry RB, Smith CA (1965) Adjustment of ventilation, intrapulmonary gas exchange, and acid-base balance during the first day of life. Pediatrics 34:662–676
Richard D, Poets CF, Neale S, Stebbens VA, Alexander JR, Southall DP (1993) Arterial oxygen saturation in preterm neonates without respiratory failure. J Pediatr 123:963–968
Richards JM, Alexander JR, Shinebourne EA, Swiet M de, Wilson AJ, Southall DP (1984) Sequential 22-hour profiles of breathing patterns and heart rate in 110 full-term infants during their first 6 months of life. Pediatrics 74:763–777
Stebbens VA, Poets CF, Alexander JA, Arrowsmith WA, Southall DP (1991) Oxygen saturation and breathing patterns in infancy. 1. Full term infants in the second month of life. Arch Dis Child 66:569–573
Thilo EH, Park-Moore B, Berman ER, Carson BS (1991) Oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry in healthy infants at an altitude of 1610 m (5820ft). What is normal? Am J Dis Child 145:1137–1140
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Poets, C.F., Stebbens, V.A., Lang, J.A. et al. Arterial oxygen saturation in healthy term neonates. Eur J Pediatr 155, 219–223 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01953942
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01953942