Oxygen saturation ranges for healthy newborns within 24 hours at 1800 m

There are minimal data to define normal oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels for infants within the first 24 hours of life and even fewer data generalisable to the 7% of the global population that resides at an altitude of >1500 m. The aim of this study was to establish the reference range for SpO₂ in healthy term and preterm neonates within 24 hours in Nairobi, Kenya, located at 1800 m. A random sample of clinically well infants had SpO₂ measured once in the first 24 hours. A total of 555 infants were enrolled. The 5th-95th percentile range for preductal and postductal SpO₂ was 89%-97% for the term and normal birthweight groups, and 90%-98% for the preterm and low birthweight (LBW) groups. This may suggest that 89% and 97% are reasonable SpO₂ bounds for well term, preterm and LBW infants within 24 hours at an altitude of 1800 m.