Oxygen saturation in healthy-term neonates at high altitude: A multisite prospective study

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Pulmonology
• High-Altitude Physiology

Background:

• Neonatal oxygen saturation (SpO2) reference ranges at high altitudes are not well-established.
• Understanding SpO2 variability is crucial for assessing neonatal health in elevated regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine normal oxygen saturation (SpO2) values and their variability in healthy-term neonates residing at high altitude.
• To assess the frequency and duration of SpO2 desaturation episodes in this population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, multisite, non-randomized blinded study.
• Simultaneous pre- and post-ductal SpO2 measurements in healthy-term neonates (≥37 weeks).
• Measurements taken in hospital and at Public Health Nurse Clinics (PHNC) up to 8 weeks post-discharge.

Main Results:

• In-hospital mean SpO2: 94.3% (pre-ductal), 96.0% (post-ductal).
• PHNC mean SpO2: 94.4% (pre-ductal), 95.6% (post-ductal).
• Desaturation episodes occurred frequently (median every 5 minutes); duration decreased over time.

Conclusions:

• SpO2 levels in healthy high-altitude neonates are stable around 94% in the early postnatal period.
• Frequent desaturations are common but resolve and do not correlate with clinical deterioration.
• Findings provide valuable reference data for neonatal care at high altitudes.