Aim:

To determine the reference values for Oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SaO2) in healthy children aged 1 month to 5 years residing at sea level in Chennai.

Design and settings:

A prospective study was conducted in Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital from February to May 2005.

Methods:

626 healthy children aged between 1 month and 5 years were examined for heart rate, respiratory rate and SaO2.

Results:

The overall mean, median SaO2 value of children in the age groups of 1 month to 5 years was 99% and the overall - 2SD values of SaO2 (hypoxemia by definition) would be 96.6%.

Conclusion:

The normal SaO2 in healthy children aged 1 month to 5 years residing at sea level in Chennai is 99% and in this age group SaO2 <96.6% can be considered as an evidence of hypoxemia.

Key words:

Oxygen saturation, Pulse oximetry.

Ooty Pedicon 2005 - Conference Abstracts.Pediatric Oncall [serial online] 2005 [cited 01 December 2005];2. Available from:
http://www.pediatriconcall.com/fordoctor/Conference_abstracts/
oxygen_saturation.asp