z-logo
Premium
Low signal quality pulse oximetry measurements in newborn infants are reliable for oxygen saturation but underestimate heart rate
Author(s) -
Narayen Ilona C.,
Smit Marrit,
Zwet Erik W.,
Dawson Jennifer A.,
Blom Nico A.,
te Pas Arjan B.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.12932
Subject(s) - medicine , pulse oximetry , heart rate , oxygen saturation , pulse (music) , cardiology , anesthesia , pediatrics , oxygen , blood pressure , chemistry , organic chemistry , detector , electrical engineering , engineering
Aim We assessed the influence of system messages (SyMs) on oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) and heart rate measurements after birth to see whether clinical decision‐making changed if clinicians included SyM data. Methods The heart rate and SpO 2 of term infants were recorded using Masimo pulse oximeters. Differences in means and standard deviations ( SD ) were calculated. Permutation corrected the nonrandom distribution and intersubject variation. SpO 2 and heart rate centile charts were computed with, and without, SyMs. Results Pulse oximetry measurements from 117 neonates provided 28 477 data points. SyMs occurred in 46% of measurements. Low signal quality accounted for 99.9% of SyMs. The mean SpO 2 was lower with SyMs (p < 0.001), while the SpO 2 SD was similar to data without SyMs. The SpO 2 centile charts were approximately 2% lower with SyMs included, but they were not more dispersed. Mean heart rate was lower (p < 0.001) and more dispersed (p < 0.001) when a SyM occurred. The heart rate centile charts were lower, with increased variability, when SyMs were included. Conclusion A SyM occurred frequently during pulse oximetry in term infants after birth. SpO 2 measurements with low signal quality proved reliable for monitoring an infant's clinical condition. However, heart rate could be underestimated by low signal quality measurements.

This content is not available in your region!

Continue researching here.

Having issues? You can contact us here