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Pulse oximetry at moderate altitude. Healthy children and children with upper respiratory infection
S A Beebe1, L B Heery, S Magarian
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84132.
Insights
Children at moderate altitude with upper respiratory infection (URI) show slightly lower oxygen saturation levels. While statistically significant, this difference is not clinically significant for healthy children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Altitude Physiology
Background:
- Pulse oximetry is a standard tool for assessing pediatric respiratory illnesses in various healthcare settings.
- Establishing reference oxygen saturation values for children at moderate altitudes is crucial for accurate clinical interpretation.
- The impact of common infections like upper respiratory infection (URI) on oxygen saturation in this population requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine reference oxygen saturation values for healthy young children residing at moderate altitude (1,500 meters).
- To evaluate the effect of upper respiratory infection (URI) on oxygen saturation levels in young children at this altitude.
Main Methods:
- Oxygen saturation was measured in 80 well children and 74 children diagnosed with URI (ages 2-23 months) at the University of Utah Pediatric Clinic.
- Measurements were taken at 1-minute intervals for 5 minutes, with an average value calculated for each participant.
- The study was conducted in Salt Lake City, situated at 1,500 meters above sea level.
Main Results:
- Well children exhibited mean oxygen saturation of 98.9% (range 96%-100%), consistent with sea-level values.
- Children with URI showed significantly lower mean oxygen saturation of 97.5% (P < .001).
- Despite statistical significance, the observed difference in oxygen saturation between healthy and URI-affected children was small.
Conclusions:
- Oxygen saturation values in well children at moderate altitude align with established sea-level norms.
- Upper respiratory infection (URI) leads to a statistically significant, yet clinically minor, decrease in oxygen saturation in young children at moderate altitude.
- URI is unlikely to cause clinically significant oxygen desaturation in previously healthy children living at moderate altitudes.
Abstract:
Pulse oximetry is commonly used in both outpatient and inpatient settings to assess children with respiratory illness. This study was designed to obtain reference values for oxygen saturations in young children living at moderate altitude and to assess the impact of upper respiratory infection (URI) on oxygen saturation. We hypothesized that oxygen saturations of sick children at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City (1,500 meters above sea level), would be lower than oxygen saturations of those who were well. Eighty well children and 74 children with URI and nasal congestion were recruited from the University of Utah Pediatric Clinic. Subjects were 2 to 23 months of age. Oxygen saturations were recorded at 1-minute intervals for 5 minutes, and an average value was then calculated for each child. Mean oxygen saturation for well children (range 96% to 100%, mean 98.9%) corresponded to reported values at sea level. Oxygen saturations of children with URI were significantly lower (mean 97.5%, P < .001). Although the difference between well and sick children was statistically significant, given the small difference, URI cannot be considered the cause of clinically significant oxygen desaturation in previously healthy children at moderate altitude.