Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026
How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children
Published on: August 19, 2020
Twelve-month prospective study of oxygen saturation measurements among term and preterm infants
Michael W Beresford1, Heather Parry, Nigel J Shaw
1Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
Insights
Establishing normal arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) reference ranges for healthy infants is crucial for optimizing home oxygen therapy. This study provides valuable data to guide safe and effective oxygen delivery for both preterm and term infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Pediatric respiratory medicine
- Clinical reference ranges
Background:
- Optimizing home oxygen delivery for infants presents logistical and safety challenges.
- Establishing normal arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) reference ranges is essential for effective home oxygen therapy.
- Pulse oximetry provides a non-invasive method for monitoring SpO2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define oxygenation profiles in healthy preterm and term infants.
- To correlate SpO2 levels with gestational and postnatal age.
- To develop reference values for guiding home oxygen therapy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective monitoring of SpO2 in 34 term and 53 preterm infants over 12 months.
- Data collected for 4 hours at 3-month intervals using Ohmeda Biox 3700e pulse oximeter.
- Utilized a data logger for continuous SpO2 recording.
Main Results:
- Cumulative frequency curves constructed using group mean and 5th percentiles.
- Established normal reference ranges for SpO2 profiles in term and preterm infants.
- Demonstrated SpO2 variations in relation to infant age.
Conclusions:
- The generated data can inform the development of clinical guidelines for home oxygen therapy.
- Reference ranges for cumulative SpO2 can be tested for their benefits in clinical settings.
- This study contributes to the safe and effective management of oxygen therapy in infants.
Background:
Optimising home oxygen delivery in infants has important logistical and safety implications. This can be aided by having a suitable reference range of normal values for arterial oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry (SpO(2)).
Objectives:
To describe oxygenation profiles in healthy preterm and term infants in relation to gestational and postnatal age, to extend reference values to guide home oxygen therapy.
Study Design:
Prospective monitoring of SpO(2) for 4 hours at 3 monthly intervals of 34 term, and 53 preterm healthy infants, took place over a 12-month period using an Ohmeda Biox 3700e pulse oximeter and data logger.
Results:
Group mean and 5th percentiles were used to construct cumulative frequency curves at each time interval, representing the normal reference range of SpO(2) profiles for term and preterm infants over time.
Conclusions:
These data may be used to test the benefits in the home or hospital of having a reference range of normal values for cumulative SpO(2).
Related Concept Videos
01:19Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is important.
01:24Pulse Oximetry
Purpose
Average SpO2 values are greater than 95%. If the readings fall below 90%, it indicates that...
01:19Guidelines For Measuring Vital Signs
Before taking a patient's vital signs, a nurse would consider and assess the patient's comfort level and ensure appropriate equipment is available.
01:17Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...