Measuring tissue oxygen saturation via spectrometer in children

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Devices
• Pediatric Medicine

Background:

• Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) offers a noninvasive method for monitoring tissue oxygen saturation (StO2).
• Evaluating new NIRS devices is crucial for clinical application in diverse patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the performance of the InSpectra near-infrared tissue spectrometer in pediatric patients.
• To identify optimal body locations for measuring tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) in children.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study was conducted in a pediatric emergency department.
• Tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) was measured using a 25-mm probe on various body sites in children aged 0-17 years without respiratory distress.
• Measurements included deltoid muscle, thenar eminence, forearm, calf, bicep, and tricep.

Main Results:

• 310 children participated; average StO2 was highest on the bicep (84%) and deltoid (83.5%) muscles.
• Lower StO2 variation was observed on the bicep, deltoid, and thenar muscles.
• Age and weight correlated with StO2 on the thenar eminence; febrile children showed lower thenar StO2.

Conclusions:

• Bicep and deltoid muscles are recommended for pediatric StO2 measurement with the 25-mm transducer.
• Thenar eminence measurements in children yield variable results influenced by age, weight, and fever, unlike in adults.