Pulse Oximetry in Comparison to Arterial Blood Oxygen  Saturation in Patients with Respiratory Distress in Neonatal  Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Authors

Pulse oximetry, Arterial blood gas, Oxygen Saturation, Partial Pressure of Oxygen, Hypoxemia, Hyperoxemia.

Background: It is essential to monitor the saturation of oxygen in newborns receiving supplemental oxygen

to reduce the incidence of exposure to hyperoxemia and their potential hazardous effects of radical oxygen

species. The oxygen saturation is measured by pulse oximeter which is a non-invasive tool. Arterial blood

gas is used to determine the pH, PaCO2, PaO2 and the bicarbonate level.

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed at searching the reliability of non-invasive pulse oximeter in

knowing oxygen saturation (SpO2) in comparison with arterial blood PaO2 in neonates with respiratory

distress.

The primary objective was to correlate the values between partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and pulse

oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter (SpO2).The secondary objectives were 1) To find out the efficacy of

pulse oximeter in diagnosing hypoxia in comparison with PaO2.

2) To find out efficacy of pulse oximeter in diagnosing hyperoxemia in comparison with PaO2.

Material and Method: Observational study was conducted on thirty neonates suffering from different

causes of respiratory distress in NICU of Krishna Hospital, Karad during December 2017 to September

The PaO2 measurements were obtained from the blood analyzer; simultaneous pulse oxygen saturation were

recorded.

Results: A significant correlation was observed between values of pulse oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter

(SpO2) and partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) by arterial blood sampling (r value -0.73, p<0.01)

On ROC curve analysis, sensitivity and specificity of pulse oximetry in prediction of hypoxemia was 87.5%

and 85.7% at cut-off of 90% and 91% each. The sensitivity and specificity of pulse oximetry in prediction

of hyperoxemia was 100% and 71.4% at cuff-off of 94% while it was 88.9% and 76.2% at cut-off of 95%

respectively.

Conclusion: Pulse oximetry showed a good correlation with arterial blood PaO2. Oxygen saturation measured

by pulse oximetry is a good diagnostic and prognostic tool for detecting hypoxemia and hyperoxemia.

Aieshwarya Pradhan1 , R A Langade2

1 Resident, Department of Pediatrics, KIMSDU, Karad, 2Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, KIMSDU, Karad