Oxygen saturation profile in late-preterm and term infants: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Over a 6-h period healthy late-preterm and term infants spent significant time at SpO2 ⩽90%. Lower gestation and lower birth weight were associated with higher time at SpO2 ⩽90%.

Physiological vital sign ranges in newborns from 34 weeks gestation: A systematic review

“…18,[22][23][24] In addition, the researchers reported results as means or percentiles. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]24 Only one study in which the researchers investigated peripheral capillary oxygen saturations at varying altitudes, indicated a reference range.…”

“…The studies included in this review were either an interrupted time series without a parallel control group (n=8) 15,16,18-21, 23, 24 , cohort study (n=1) 22 or case series (n=1) 17 and received evidence levels of III-3 (N=10). [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] The quality of the quantitative studies varied with seven of the ten indicating 'weak' 15,16,[18][19][20]22,24 quality; two of moderate 17,21 quality and the remaining study of strong 23 quality.…”

“…The data capture period in the majority of these studies occurred between one and six days following birth. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Rather than presenting normal ranges which would be useful in the clinical setting, the studies presented results as means, which makes their interpretation into clinical practice or for the purpose of early warning tools difficult. Interestingly, textbooks present definitive vital sign parameter ranges, 6,35,47 although the evidence or sources for these ranges is difficult to ascertain in many of these publications.…”

“…43 Similarly, recent studies have reported differences in peripheral capillary oxygen saturation readings between night and day 44 and between wake and sleep states 45 . In addition, other inconsistencies were identified between the primary studies as to what was considered normal peripheral capillary oxygen saturation with the authors of one study conducted at >4400 Feet elevation 22 reporting normal as 91%. Other reference literature present varying 'normal' peripheral capillary oxygen saturation values for term and preterm newborns.…”

“…That is, the authors of only two studies examined late preterm population and only one examined newborns >30 weeks gestation. It has been documented that there are several variables which contribute to physiological variation in vital signs such as gestation age, 30,45,50 sex, 16,18 vital signs, [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] and activity. 16,29,51 This suggests that a universal reference range for newborns is problematic, as it does not reflect the complex interplay of variables that impact on clinical wellbeing.…”