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Normal oxygen saturation values in pediatric patients
Monica K Mau1, Kelly S Yamasato, Loren G Yamamoto
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
Insights
Normal oxygen saturation (OSAT) in children is typically above 97%. Lower OSAT values, even if not requiring immediate oxygen therapy, may indicate underlying respiratory or cardiovascular issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Critical Care
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Pulse oximetry is a key tool for assessing oxygenation in pediatric patients.
- Establishing normal oxygen saturation (OSAT) values is crucial for accurate clinical assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine normal oxygen saturation (OSAT) values in infants and children using pulse oximetry.
- To correlate OSAT levels with the presence of respiratory infection (RI) or airway, pulmonary, and cardiovascular (APC) system involvement.
Main Methods:
- Infants and children undergoing elective surgery were assessed for OSAT in room air.
- Patients were categorized based on the absence of RI symptoms and non-APC related surgery to define a "normal" group.
Main Results:
- A significant percentage of patients with OSAT between 95%-96.5% had either RI symptoms or were undergoing APC surgery.
- OSAT values of 97% or higher were more consistently associated with the absence of these conditions.
Conclusions:
- OSAT values of 95% and 96% should be considered potentially abnormal due to their association with higher rates of APC/RI.
- An OSAT of 97% is borderline normal, and values below this threshold indicate an increased risk of APC/RI conditions.
Objectives:
To determine normal oxygen saturation (OSAT) values in infants and children measured by pulse oximetry
Methods:
Infants and children admitted to a children's hospital for elective surgery from 11/20/2000 to 3/30/2002 underwent surgical clearance screens consisting of illness symptoms, vital signs and OSAT in room air Based on the presence of respiratory infection (RI) symptoms, a "normal" patient was defined as one without respiratory symptoms and who was not scheduled for surgery involving the airway pulmonary or cardiovascular systems (APC).
Results:
Of the 3600 forms collected, 2069 were completely filled out and for elective surgery. For all age groups combined, the percent of patients undergoing APC surgery or with RI symptoms for each OSAT were as follows (OSAT: %patients APC/RI): 100%: 13%, 99%-99.5%: 15%, 98%-98.5%: 14%, 97%-97.5%: 18%, 96%-96.5%: 38%, 95%-95.5%: 29%, and <95%: 0%.
Conclusions:
Although OSAT of 95% and 96% are adequate (i.e., not requiring acute oxygen therapy), these values are associated with higher rates of APC/RI involvement and thus should be considered potentially abnormal. OSAT of 97% is on the border of normal. Normal OSATs can occur with APC/RI conditions, but an OSAT less than 97% is associated with a higher risk of an APC/RI condition.
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