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Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition logoLink to Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
. 1998 Jul;79(1):F64–F66. doi: 10.1136/fn.79.1.f64

Arterial oxygen saturation profiles in healthy preterm infants

A Ng, N Subhedar, R Primhak, N Shaw
PMCID: PMC1720824  PMID: 9797629

Abstract

AIM—To construct a reference range of SpO2 values in healthy preterm infants using a simple data logging device.
METHODS—Thirty three healthy preterm infants were monitored for a continuous period of 4 hours at rest using an Ohmeda Biox 3700 E Pulse Oximeter and an electronic data logger (Rustrack Ranger). Stored data were downloaded and saved as individual files on a personal computer.
RESULTS—The study group median and 5th and 95th percentiles were used to construct a cumulative frequency curve of time against SpO2 value, representing the normal reference range of SpO2 profiles in healthy preterm infants.
CONCLUSION—Comparison of an infant's SpO2 profile against this curve may be more helpful in guiding supplemental oxygen treatment in that individual than a figure for a mean SPO2 and its standard deviation.



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Selected References

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