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Hemoglobinopathy case finding by pulse oximetry
Cristin M Bruns1, Lyn A Thet, Robert D Woodson
1Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA. cb2@medicine.wisc.edu
Abstract:
Pulse oximetry is a widely used, noninvasive instrument for monitoring oxygen saturation. Its use, however, is limited in the setting of dyshemoglobinemias. We report a case of hemoglobin Rothschild in an Asian patient diagnosed as a result of routine pulse oximetry. This case reiterates the limitations of pulse oximetry in patients with dyshemoglobinemias, while introducing its use as a case-finding tool for such conditions.
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