Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children
Published on: August 19, 2020
Assessing Oxygenation Instability in Premature Infants <1,500 Grams: Nursing Charts versus SpO2 Histograms-Is Two
Viktoria Leikin Zach1,2, Arieh Riskin1,3, Irina Raizberg2
1Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
Objective:
Despite availability of advanced monitoring tools, most neonatologists still primarily rely on nursing documentation of desaturation and bradycardia events to assess the respiratory status of very low birth weight (VLBW) premature infants. We aimed to compare oxygenation instability as recorded in nursing charts versus SpO2 histograms in VLBW infants during their first weeks of life.
Study Design:
An observational study including VLBW premature infants who required respiratory support on day 1 of life. We recorded the daily number of desaturation events <90% from nursing charts and the cumulative duration of SpO2 <90% from 24 hours SpO2 histograms. Data were collected from birth until respiratory support was discontinued.
Results:
Data from 1,749 chart days of 77 VLBW infants (mean ± SD birth weight 1,040 ± 243 g; gestational age: 28.5 ± 2.1weeks) were analyzed. A strong Pearson correlation was found between the number of desaturation events and total time in SpO2 <90% (r = 0.8). However, similar event counts often reflected different hypoxemia burden. Eight or more daily desaturation events predict an unstable SpO2 histogram (sensitivity: 90.3%, specificity: 76.1%).
Conclusion:
Nursing charts and SpO2 histograms strongly correlate but offer unique insights-charts capture the frequency and distribution of desaturation events, while histograms quantify overall hypoxemic exposure. Used together, they provide a more comprehensive assessment of respiratory status in VLBW infants.
Key Points:
· Oxygenation instability is common among VLBW premature infants.. · We compared oxygenation instability documentation in the NICU by nursing charts versus SpO2 histograms.. · Strong Pearson correlation was found between documented desaturation events and time with SpO2 <90%.. · However, for a given number of desaturation events, the time in SpO2 <90% varied significantly.. · Combining charts and SpO2 histograms gives a more complete respiratory assessment in VLBW infants..
More Related Videos
14:28Non-Invasive Monitoring of Microvascular Oxygenation and Reactive Hyperemia using Hybrid, Near-Infrared Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy for Critical Care
Published on: May 10, 2024
11:39Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants
Published on: March 14, 2013
Related Concept Videos
01:19Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is...
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.
01:24Pulse Oximetry
Purpose
Average SpO2 values are greater than 95%. If the readings fall below 90%, it indicates that...
01:20Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
01:17Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this...