Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2025
How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children
Published on: August 19, 2020
Normative pulse oximetry values in healthy children: A cross-sectional study from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Turki S Alahmadi1, Mohammed A Alsubaie1, Abdullah Z Alsuheili1
1From the Department of Pediatrics (Alahmadi, Habiballah), Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah; from the Department of Pediatrics (Alahmadi), Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh; from the Department of Pediatrics (Alsubaie, Alsuheili), King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah; from the Faculty of Medicine (Alyazidi, Habis, Alotibi, Ibrahim), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah; from the Immunology Unit (Habiballah), King Fahd Medical Research Center, Jeddah; and from the Department of Pediatrics (Alsulami), Hera General Hospital, Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Insights
In pediatric care, normal peripheral oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry is typically 97-100%. Readings below 97% warrant further evaluation for potential health issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Cardiorespiratory Physiology
Background:
- Pulse oximetry is essential for monitoring vital signs in children.
- Established normal peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) values are crucial for accurate pediatric assessment.
- Current clinical practice often considers 95-100% normal, but emerging evidence suggests a higher lower limit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine reference values for peripheral oxygen saturation in a pediatric population.
- To establish a precise normal range for SpO2 in children using pulse oximetry.
- To inform clinical guidelines for interpreting SpO2 readings in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 973 children aged 18 years or younger.
- Participants were recruited from pediatric clinics without acute respiratory illness.
- Peripheral oxygen saturation and pulse rate were measured using a Masimo Radical-7 pulse oximeter.
Main Results:
- The median SpO2 was 99%, with 75.9% of participants showing values between 99-100%.
- 24.1% of children had SpO2 readings between 97-98%.
- No participants exhibited SpO2 levels below 97%; no significant differences were found across age groups or genders.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral oxygen saturation values below 97% in children require vigilant monitoring and potential further investigation.
- Consistently low SpO2 readings may signal underlying health concerns or emergent conditions in pediatric patients.
- These findings support refining the definition of normal SpO2 range in pediatric care.
Objectives:
To establish reference values for peripheral oxygen saturation levels in children using pulse oximetry. Pulse oximetry to assess peripheral oxygen saturation is widely used in pediatric care as part of vital signs monitoring. Although readings between 95% and 100% are often considered normal in clinical practice, recent studies suggest that the normal peripheral oxygen saturation range should be between 97% and 100%.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included children aged ≤18 years attending pediatric clinics and not having respiratory distress or acute illness during their visit. Vital signs and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Oxygen saturation and pulse rate were measured using the Masimo Radical-7 pulse oximeter with age-appropriate saturation probes.
Results:
A total of 973 participants were enrolled in the study. The median oxygen saturation was 99%. Most participants (75.9%) exhibited oxygen saturation levels between 99% and 100%, while 24.1% had values between 97% and 98%. Importantly, no participant had an oxygen saturation below 97%. Additionally, statistical analysis showed no significant differences in oxygen saturation across age groups or genders.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring in pediatric care, particularly when peripheral oxygen saturation values measured by pulse oximetry fall below 97%. Such readings, especially when consistently observed, should not be dismissed, as they may indicate potential underlying health issues or impending emergencies that warrant further evaluation and intervention.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Pulse Oximetry
Purpose
Average SpO2 values are greater than 95%. If the readings fall below 90%, it indicates that...
01:19Guidelines For Measuring Vital Signs
Before taking a patient's vital signs, a nurse would consider and assess the patient's comfort level and ensure appropriate equipment is available.
01:19Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is...
01:11Assessment of radial pulse
The radial pulse, located at the wrist, is often the preferred site for assessing peripheral pulse because of its accessibility and dependability. The process of determining the radial pulse involves several steps:
01:25Assessment of apical radial pulse
The A-R pulse assessment involves simultaneous evaluation of the apical and radial pulses. When the apical and radial pulse rates vary, this assessment helps identify a pulse deficit.
Pre-Procedural Preparation
01:13Special considerations while measuring pulse