Oxygen saturation targets in pediatric respiratory disease

The present study aimed to assess the appropriate oxygen saturation target in patients with pediatric respiratory diseases by lowering the oxygen saturation target from SpO₂ 94% to 90%. No previous study has explored appropriate oxygen saturation targets in respiratory diseases other than bronchiolitis.

The present, prospective, single-arm intervention trial enrolled pediatric inpatients with bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma. The oxygen saturation target was lowered from SpO₂ 94% to 90% after the patients' general condition improved. The patients continued to be observed for 12 h after achieving SpO₂ 94%. The duration from the first cut-off point (SpO₂ 90% for 12 h without oxygen) to the second cut-off point (SpO₂ 94% for 12 h) was then evaluated.

In total, 248 patients completed the study. Patients with bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma had an interval between the two cut-off points of 23.9, 15.5, 19.1, and 13.8 h, respectively, (mean 17.2 h; 95% confidence interval 15.0-19.5).

In generally healthy children, setting the oxygen saturation target at SpO₂ 90% after confirming improvement in their general condition was safe. The time required for increasing SpO₂ from 90% to 94% was longest in the patients with bronchiolitis.