Percentiles of oxygen saturations in healthy term newborns in the first minutes of life

Oxygen in the neonatal ICU: a complicated history and where are we now?

Despite major advances in neonatal care, oxygen remains the most commonly used medication in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Supplemental oxygen can be life-saving for term and preterm neonates in the resuscitation period and beyond, however use of oxygen in the neonatal period must be judicious as there can be toxic effects. Newborns experience substantial hemodynamic changes at birth, rapid energy consumption, and decreased antioxidant capacity, which requires a delicate balance of sufficient oxygen while mitigating reactive oxygen species causing oxidative stress. In this review, we will discuss the physiology of neonates in relation to hypoxia and hyperoxic injury, the history of supplemental oxygen in the delivery room and beyond, supporting clinical research guiding trends for oxygen therapy in neonatal care, current practices, and future directions.

Oxygen saturation centiles in healthy preterm neonates in the first 10 min of life: a prospective observational study

Current oxygen saturation targets in delivery room given by Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) are essentially derived from term neonates. This prospective observational study was conducted in a level-III neonatal unit in preterm neonates (< 37 weeks) who did not receive resuscitation or supplemental oxygen to create centile charts for pre-ductal oxygen saturations using robust statistical modelling methods. Pre-ductal oxygen saturations (SPO2) were recorded from birth till 10 min of age using current generation Masimo pulse oximeters. Centile charts were created by generalized additive models. The change in oxygen saturations over time across subjects was modelled as a Bayesian linear regression mixed-effects model after including 'a priori' covariates. Oxygen saturation data was analysed in 180 subjects with mean gestation of 34 ± 2 weeks. Mean (SD) time to first SPO2 was 167 ± 77 s. The median time to SPO2 of > 90% was 310 s (IQR: 235-400). Time to > 90% SPO2 was shorter in (a) 34-36 weeks compared to < 34 weeks (290 vs 340; p = 0.03) and (b) vaginally delivered compared to caesarean-section born neonates (300 vs 360; p = 0.2).    Conclusions: Oxygen saturations in first 10 min of age in healthy preterm neonates are significantly higher than the targets proposed by the NRP-2020. Larger preterm neonates and those born through vaginal route attained a preductal saturation of > 90% sooner. What is Known: • Pulse oximetry is the standard for oxygen saturation monitoring during immediate postnatal period. • Healthy term neonates take many minutes after birth to reach a pre-ductal saturation of >90%. But, postnatal oxygen saturation trend data in healthy preterm neonates are scarce. What is New: • Provides centile charts for oxygen saturations till 10 minutes of age using current generation Masimo pulse oximeters in a large cohort of healthy preterm neonates using robust statistical modelling methods. • Identifies covariates that significantly modifies the saturation trends using a Bayesian mixed models' regression.

Oxygen saturation and heart rate in healthy term and late preterm infants with delayed cord clamping

Blood oxygen in the fetus is substantially lower than in the newborn infant. In the minutes after birth, arterial oxygen saturation rises from around 50-60% to 90-95%. Initial respiratory efforts generate negative trans-thoracic pressures that drive liquid from the airways into the lung interstitium facilitating lung aeration, blood oxygenation, and pulmonary artery vasodilatation. Consequently, intra- (foramen ovale) and extra-cardiac (ductus arteriosus) shunting changes and the sequential circulation switches to a parallel pulmonary and systemic circulation. Delaying cord clamping preserves blood flow through the ascending vena cava, thus increasing right and left ventricular preload. Recently published reference ranges have suggested that delayed cord clamping positively influenced the fetal-to-neonatal transition. Oxygen saturation in babies with delayed cord clamping plateaus significantly earlier to values of 85-90% than in babies with immediate cord clamping. Delayed cord clamping may also contribute to fewer episodes of brady-or-tachycardia in the first minutes after birth, but data from randomized trials are awaited. IMPACT: Delaying cord clamping during fetal to neonatal transition contributes to a significantly earlier plateauing of oxygen saturation and fewer episodes of brady-and/or-tachycardia in the first minutes after birth. We provide updated information regarding the changes in SpO2 and HR during postnatal adaptation of term and late preterm infants receiving delayed compared with immediate cord clamping. Nomograms in newborn infants with delayed cord clamping will provide valuable reference ranges to establish target SpO2 and HR in the first minutes after birth.

Cardiovascular fetal-to-neonatal transition: an in silico model

BACKGROUND

Previous models describing the fetal-to-neonatal transition often lack oxygen saturation levels, homeostatic control mechanisms, phasic hemodynamic signals, or describe the heart with a time-varying elastance model.

METHODS

We incorporated these elements in the adapted CircAdapt model with the one-fiber model for myocardial contraction, to simulate the hemodynamics of the healthy term human fetal circulation and its transition during the first 24 h after birth. The fetal-to-neonatal model was controlled by a time- and event-based script of changes occurring at birth, such as lung aeration and umbilical cord clamping. Model parameters were based on and validated with human and animal data.

RESULTS

The fetal circulation showed low pulmonary blood flow, right ventricular dominance, and inverted mitral and tricuspid flow velocity patterns, as well as high mean ductus venosus flow velocity. The neonatal circulation showed oxygen saturation levels to gradually increase to 98% in the first 15 min after birth as well as temporary left ventricular volume overload.

CONCLUSIONS

Hemodynamics of the term fetus and 24-h-old neonate, as well as the events occurring directly after birth and the transition during the first 24 h after birth, were realistically represented, allowing the model to be used for educational purposes and future research.

IMPACT

With the addition of oxygen saturation levels, homeostatic pressure-flow control mechanisms, and the one-fiber model for myocardial contraction, a new closed-loop cardiovascular model was constructed to give more insight into the healthy term human fetal circulation and its cardiovascular transition during the first 24 h after birth. Extensive validation confirmed that the hemodynamics of the term fetus and the fetal-to-neonatal transition were realistically represented with the model. This well-validated and versatile model can serve as an education as well as a research platform for in silico investigation of fetal-to-neonatal hemodynamic changes under a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Oxygen saturation (SpO2) targeting for newborn infants at delivery: Are we reaching for an impossible unknown?

For more than 200 years, pure oxygen was given ad libitum to newborn infants requiring resuscitation. Due to oxidative stress and injury concerns, a paradigm shift towards using "less" oxygen, including air (21% oxygen) instead of pure (100%) oxygen, occurred about twenty years ago. A decade later, clinicians were advised to adjust fractional inspired oxygen (FiO₂) to target oxygen saturations (SpO₂) that were derived from spontaneously breathing, healthy, mature infants. Whether these recommendations are achievable, beneficial, harmful or redundant is uncertain. The underlying pathology leading to resuscitation varies between infants and may considerably alter an infant's response to supplemental oxygen. In this review, we summarize available evidence for the use of SpO₂ monitoring at delivery for newborn infants, elucidate existing knowledge and service gaps, and suggest future research recommendations that will lead to the safest clinical strategies for this standard and important practice.

Delayed vs Immediate Cord Clamping Changes Oxygen Saturation and Heart Rate Patterns in the First Minutes after Birth

OBJECTIVE

To build arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and heart rate (HR) percentiles for the first 10 minutes after birth in term infants born after an uneventful gestation, vaginal delivery, and delayed cord clamping (DCC) for ≥60 seconds, and to compare our results with previous ones constructed after immediate cord clamping.

STUDY DESIGN

Preductal SpO₂, HR, and timing of DCC immediately after complete fetal body expulsion were recorded. The pulse-oximeter was adjusted in the right wrist/hand and set at maximal intensity and measurements performed every 2 seconds.

RESULTS

A total of 282 term newborn infants were included. The definitive data set comprised of 70 257 SpO₂ and 79 746 HR measurements. Median and IQR of SpO₂ (%) at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after birth were 77 (68-85), 94 (90-96), and 96 (93-98), respectively. HR (beats per minute) median and IQR at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after birth were 148 (84-170), 155 (143-167), and 151 (142-161), respectively. We found significantly higher SpO₂ for the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles compared with the previous reference ranges for the first 5 minutes and HR for the first 1-2 minutes after birth.

CONCLUSIONS

Spontaneously breathing term newborn infants born by vaginal delivery who underwent DCC ≥60 seconds achieved higher SpO₂ and HR in the first 5 minutes after birth compared with term neonates born under the same conditions but with immediate cord clamping. Further studies in neonates undergoing cesarean delivery are under way.

Comparison of cut and intact cord milking regarding cerebral oxygenation, hemodynamic and hematological adaptation of term infants

OBJECTIVE

Although both delayed umbilical cord clamping and intact umbilical cord milking (I-UCM) provide the effective placental transfusion at birth, these procedures may not be used in neonates needing resuscitation. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of cut umbilical cord milking (C-UCM), which permits resuscitation during an immediate transition period (ITP).

METHODS

Sixty-two healthy term infants were randomly divided into C-UCM and I-UCM groups at birth. Approximately 30-cm length of cord was milked towards the baby 2-4 times within 20 seconds after birth in both C-UCM and I-UCM groups while the umbilical cord was cut in the former, and intact in the latter. Heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂), cerebral regional oxygen saturation (crSO₂) (2nd-15th min), blood pressure (BP) (within 15-30 min), residual placental blood volume (RPBV), and hemoglobin levels (at the sixth hour) were monitored during ITP.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in terms of mean gestational age (w) [(39.0 ± 1.2) versus (38.8 ± 1.1)], birth weight (g) [(3351.45 ± 254.30) versus (3256.94 ± 285.52)], Apgar scores at the 5th min (10 ± 0 versus 10 ± 0), first breathing time (sec) (5.4 ± 3.8 versus 5.7 ± 4.1), SpO₂, crSO₂, BP (mmHg) [(52.9 ± 6.9) versus (51.8 ± 5.7)], hemoglobin levels (g/dl) [(17.7 ± 1.8) versus (18.4 ± 1.4)], and RPBV (ml/kg) [(23.9 ± 4.7) versus (22.9 ± 5.4)] between C-UCM and I-UCM groups (p > .05).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that C-UCM is as effective as I-UCM on cerebral oxygenation, hemodynamic and hematological adaptation of term infants in ITP. We suggest that C-UCM can provide additional placental transfusion in term neonates exposed to early cord clamping.

Newborn Resuscitation in Settings Without Access to Supplemental Oxygen

Low- and middle-income countries and resource-limited regions are major contributors to perinatal and infant mortality. Oxygen is widely used for resuscitation in high- and middle-income settings. However, oxygen supplementation is not available in resource-limited regions. Oxygen supplementation for resuscitation at birth has adverse effects in human/animal model studies. There has been a change with resultant recommendations for restrictive oxygen use in neonatal resuscitation. Neonatal resuscitation without supplemental oxygen decreases mortality and morbidities. Oxygen in resource-limited settings for neonatal resuscitation is ideal as a backup for selected resuscitations but should not be a limiting factor for implementing basic life-saving efforts.

What is the impact of mother's bed incline on episodes of decreased oxygen saturation in healthy newborns in skin-to-skin contact after delivery: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Early mother-child skin-to-skin contact (SSC) in the first 2 h postpartum is highly beneficial for both mother and child. However, cases have been reported of newborns who have experienced apparently life-threatening events (ALTEs) or sudden death during this procedure. The causes of these events are unknown. Newborn's prone position could influence the onset of these events but there is very little evidence to support any recommendation. We hypothesize that newborns' breathing obstruction episodes increase as mothers lie more horizontally. The main objective of this study is to compare the occurrence of desaturation and bradycardia episodes as a function of mother's bed incline. The study is designed as a randomized, controlled, assessor blind, multicenter, superiority trial with two parallel groups and 1:1 allocation ratio.

METHODS

The study participants will be full-term healthy mother-newborn dyads from ten hospitals in Spain. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study arms defined by mother's bed inclination (45° or 15°). The planned sample size is 5866. Centralized permuted blocks randomization and assessor blinding will be implemented. The newborns will be monitored remotely with pulse oximetry, from 10 min to 2 h after delivery. We established SO2 and heart rate (HR) limit alarms, as well as an action protocol in the event of alarm activation. The primary outcome is the number of healthy newborns who undergo episodes of SO2 ≤ 90%. Secondary outcomes are the mean SO2 level, the number of newborns who experience episodes of SO2 ≤ 85%, the time to SSC discontinuation due to abnormal SO2 or HR, and episodes of HR < 111 beats per minute (bpm) or > 180 bpm. Subgroups and pooled analysis will be performed to identify if breast-feeding and mother and child positions favor the occurrence of desaturation or bradycardia episodes.

DISCUSSION

A simple intervention such as modifying mother's bed angle of inclination while in SSC with her child during the first 2 h postpartum could favor newborn's hemodynamic and respiratory stabilization and thus contribute to reducing the onset of ALTEs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02585492 . Registered on 22nd October 2015.

PROTOCOL VERSION

2 (30th June 2015).

Oxygen Saturation and Heart Rate Ranges in Very Preterm Infants Requiring Respiratory Support at Birth

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the changes in preductal oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and heart rate in preterm infants receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and/or positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) at birth.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective observational study at birth of infants aged <32 weeks separated into 2 gestational age (GA) groups: 23^0/7-27^6/7 weeks (group 1) and 28^0/7-31^6/7 weeks (group 2). Infants received delayed cord clamping (DCC) in accordance with institutional protocol. CPAP and/or PPV was applied at the clinical team's discretion. SpO₂ and heart rate were recorded every minute for 10 minutes. Preductal SpO₂ was targeted according to published nomograms. For heart rate, the goal was to maintain a stable heart rate >100 bpm.

RESULTS

The study cohort comprised 96 group 1 infants (mean GA, 26 ± 1 weeks; mean birth weight, 818 ± 208 g) and 173 group 2 infants (mean GA, 30 ± 1 weeks; mean birth weight, 1438 ± 374 g). In general, infants requiring respiratory support reached target values for heart rate and SpO₂ more slowly than the published nomograms for spontaneously breathing preterm infants without respiratory support. Infants receiving CPAP reached SpO₂ and heart rate targets faster than infants receiving PPV. In group 1, but not group 2 infants, DCC resulted in higher SpO₂ and heart rate.

CONCLUSION

SpO₂ and heart rate do not quickly and reliably reach the values achieved by spontaneously breathing preterm infants not requiring respiratory support.

Arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate after birth in newborns with and without maternal bonding

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine and compare changes in arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂ ) and heart rate (HR) in healthy term infants with and without maternal bonding.

METHOD

This was a prospective observational study in healthy term infants. SpO₂ and HR were recorded from 1 to 10 min after birth. After this, SpO₂ and HR were registered at 15, 30 and 60 min and then at 12 and 24 h after birth. SpO₂ and HR were measured with a pulse oximeter.

RESULTS

A total of 216 healthy term infants were divided into three different groups: 136 (63%) born by vaginal delivery, 56 (26%) born by cesarean section with bonding, and 24 (11%) born by cesarean section without bonding. No difference in SpO₂ was found in babies born by cesarean section with or without maternal bonding. In neonates delivered vaginally, SpO₂ was significantly higher during the first 10 min after birth than in neonates born by cesarean section with bonding (P < 0.05). Compared with infants born by cesarean section without bonding, this tendency was not significant. In general, HR was similar across groups, although, for infants born by cesarean section, neonates who received bonding had lower HR from 6 to 8 min (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy term newborns, maternal bonding in infants born by cesarean section did not have effects on SpO₂ . Some differences were observed in HR between infants born by cesarean section with and without bonding.

Pulse Oximetry Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Disease after Home Birth and Early Discharge

OBJECTIVES

To assess the feasibility of pulse oximetry (PO) screening in settings with home births and very early discharge. We assessed this with an adapted protocol in The Netherlands.

STUDY DESIGN

PO screening was performed in the Leiden region in hospitals and by community midwives. Measurements were taken ≥ 1 hour after birth and on day 2 or 3 during the midwife visit. Primary outcome was the percentage of screened infants with parental consent. The time point of screening, oxygen saturation, false positive (FP) screenings, critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs), and other detected pathology were registered.

RESULTS

In a 1-year period, 3625 eligible infants were born. Parents of 491 infants were not approached for consent, and 44 refused the screening. PO screening was performed in 3059/3090 (99%) infants with obtained consent. Median (IQR) time points of the first and second screening were 1.8 (1.3-2.8) and 37 (27-47) hours after birth. In 394 infants with screening within 1 hour after birth, the median pre- and postductal oxygen saturations were 99% (98%-100%) and 99% (97%-100%). No CCHD was detected. The FP prevalence was 1.0% overall (0.6% in the first hours after birth). After referral, important noncritical cardiac and other noncardiac pathology was found in 62% of the FP screenings.

CONCLUSIONS

PO screening for CCHD is feasible after home births and very early discharge from hospital. Important neonatal pathology was detected at an early stage, potentially increasing the safety of home births and early discharge policy.

Pulse oximetry in bronchiolitis: is it needed?

Infants admitted to health-care centers with acute bronchiolitis are frequently monitored with a pulse oximeter, a noninvasive method commonly used for measuring oxygen saturation. The decision to hospitalize children with bronchiolitis has been largely influenced by pulse oximetry, despite its questionable diagnostic value in delineating the severity of the illness. Many health-care providers lack the appropriate clinical fundamentals and limitations of pulse oximetry. This deficiency in knowledge might have been linked to changes in the management of bronchiolitis. The aim of this paper is to provide the current evidence on the role of pulse oximetry in bronchiolitis. We discuss the history, fundamentals of operation, and limitations of the apparatus. A search of the Google Scholar, Embase, Medline, and PubMed databases was carried out for published articles covering the use of pulse oximetry in bronchiolitis.

Low signal quality pulse oximetry measurements in newborn infants are reliable for oxygen saturation but underestimate heart rate

AIM

We assessed the influence of system messages (SyMs) on oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) and heart rate measurements after birth to see whether clinical decision-making changed if clinicians included SyM data.

METHODS

The heart rate and SpO2 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. SpO2 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 SpO2 was lower with SyMs (p < 0.001), while the SpO2 SD was similar to data without SyMs. The SpO2 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. SpO2 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.

Reevaluating reference ranges of oxygen saturation for healthy full-term neonates using pulse oximetry

BACKGROUND

We compared our clinical experience with currently available reference oxygen saturation level (SpO(2)) values from the American Academy of Pediatrics/American Heart Association (AAP/AHA) neonatal resuscitation program guidelines.

METHODS

We enrolled 145 healthy full-term neonates; infants showing respiratory distress and those with serious congenital anomalies were excluded. SpO(2) values at every 1 minute until 10 minutes after birth were measured and recorded. Infants were classified into the cesarean section (CS) and normal spontaneous delivery (NSD) groups for evaluating differences. The 10(th) percentiles of SpO(2) at each minute were used as the lower limits of normal oxygen saturation, and these were compared with the lowest target values recommended in the AAP/AHA guidelines.

RESULTS

Overall, 130 vigorous full-term neonates (median gestational age: 38 5/7 weeks; body weight at birth: 2405-3960 g) were analyzed. The median SpO(2) were 67% and 89% at the 1(st) and 4(th) minute, respectively. On average, SpO(2) values reached >90% at the 5(th) minute. No statistical differences were noted in the SpO(2) values between the CS and NSD groups after 5 minutes; however, a trend of higher SpO(2) was observed in the NSD group. We noted a gradually increasing trend for SpO(2) values over time, similar to that noted in the AAP/AHA guidelines. However, SpO(2) values at the 10(th) percentiles of each minute within the first 5 minutes in our study were equal to or significantly lower than those in the AAP/AHA guidelines; moreover, at the 10(th) minute, SpO(2) values at the 10(th) percentiles were significantly higher than those in the guidelines.

CONCLUSION

The delivery modes did not affect the SpO(2) values of full-term healthy neonates. Discrepancies in SpO(2) changes in full-term neonates not requiring resuscitation between this study and the AAP/AHA guidelines were significant. SpO(2) ranges for each time point within the first 10 minutes after birth should therefore be reevaluated locally.

A comparison between two NIRS oximeters (INVOS, OxyPrem) using measurement on the arm of adults and head of infants after caesarean section

Previously the NIRS oximeter OxyPrem was calibrated by comparison to the INVOS in a blood-lipid phantom. The aim of the present study was to test this calibration clinically. During vasculur occlusions in 10 adults and after birth in 25 term infants the relationship was OxyPrem = 1.24 x INVOS - 23.6% and OxyPrem = 1.15 x INVOS - 16.2% on the adult arm and infant head, respectively. The precsion during steady state was 4.0% (CI 3.4% to 4.6%) and 3.4% (CI 2.9% to 3.9%) on the arm, and 6.7% (CI 5.9% to 7.6%) and 4.7% (CI 3.5% to 5.9%) on the infant head for OxyPrem and INVOS, respectively. We conclude that the calibration on the blood-lipid phantom was unsuccessful in achieving agreement in clinical measurements.

Pulse oximetry in newborns with delayed cord clamping and immediate skin-to-skin contact

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether defined reference ranges of oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and heart rate (HR) of term infants after birth also apply for infants born after midwifery supervised uncomplicated vaginal birth, where delayed cord clamping (DCC) and immediate skin to skin contact (ISSC) is routine management.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING AND PATIENTS

Infants born vaginally after uncomplicated birth, that is, no augmentation, maternal pain relief or instrumental delivery.

INTERVENTIONS

Midwives supervising uncomplicated birth at home or in hospital in the Leiden region (The Netherlands) used an oximeter and recorded SpO₂ and HR in the first 10 min after birth.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

SpO₂ and HR values were compared to the international defined reference ranges.

RESULTS

In Leiden, values of 109 infants were obtained and are comparable with previously defined reference ranges, except for a higher SpO₂ (p<0.05) combined with a slower increase in the first 3 min. The Leiden cohort also had a lower HR (p<0.05) during the first 10 min with a slower increase in the first 3 min. In the first minutes after birth, tachycardia (HR>180 bpm) occurred less often, and a bradycardia (<80 bpm) more often (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Defined reference ranges can be used in infants born after uncomplicated vaginal birth with DCC and ISSC, but higher SpO₂ and lower HR were observed in the first minutes.

The neonatal resuscitation program: current recommendations and a look at the future

The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) consists of an algorithm and curriculum to train healthcare professionals to facilitate newborn infants' transition to extrauterine life and to provide a standardized approach to the care of infants who require more invasive support and resuscitation. This review discusses the most recent update of the NRP algorithm and recommended guidelines for the care of newly born infants. Current challenges in training and assessment as well as the importance of ergonomics in the optimization of human performance are discussed. Finally, it is recommended that in order to ensure high-performing resuscitation teams, members should be selected and retained based on objective performance criteria and frequent participation in realistic simulated clinical scenarios.

Oxygen saturation immediately after birth in infants delivered in tertiary care hospital in India

OBJECTIVE

To study the sequential changes in SpO2 values in newborns delivered in a teaching hospital in India.

METHODS

Full-term infants born by normal vaginal delivery to registered mothers at KLE University Hospital, Belgaum with birth weight more than 2,500 g, no congenital anomalies and who had received only routine care at birth were included in the study. After delivery, newborn infants were placed on a resuscitation trolley under a radiant warmer; the oxygen saturation sensor was attached (Nellcor DURA-Y multisite oxygen sensor) and then connected to the monitor (Planet 55 multiparameter recorder).

RESULTS

The mean (SD) gestational age of infants included in the study was 38.8 (1.1) wk and birth weight was 2,800 (300) g. The median (IQR) oxygen saturation level (SpO2) at 2 min of age was 69 % (68 %-79 %). The median level of SpO2 at 90 % and 95 % saturation was attained at 6.5 min and at 11 min of life, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Infants delivered in resource poor facilities of developing countries take 11 min to reach 95 % saturations after birth but they are within the reference range values of Neonatal Resuscitation Program 2010 guidelines.

Oxygen therapy and oximetry in the delivery room

Pulse oximetry is increasingly being used in the delivery room. Expert recommendations state that oxygen therapy during newborn resuscitation should be guided by pulse oximetry. Obtaining accurate and stable oxygen saturation and heart rate information from a pulse oximeter in the delivery room can be challenging. Understanding the properties of this device is important in overcoming these challenges. This article describes several aspects of pulse oximetry use in the delivery room ranging from technical issues with the device itself to clinical applications of the technology.

Comparison of heart rate and oxygen saturation measurements from Masimo and Nellcor pulse oximeters in newly born term infants

AIM

To compare heart rate (HR) measurements from Masimo and Nellcor pulse oximeters (POs) against HR measured via a three lead electrocardiograph (ECG) (HRECG ). We also compared peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) measurements between Nellcor and Masimo oximeters.

METHOD

Term infants born via elective caesarean section were studied. ECG leads were placed on the infant's chest and abdomen. Masimo and Nellcor PO sensors were randomly allocated to either foot. The monitors were placed on a trolley, and data from each monitor screen captured by a video camera. HR, SpO2 measurements and signal quality were extracted. Bland-Altman analysis was used to determine agreement between HR from the ECG and each oximeter, and between SpO2 from the oximeters.

RESULTS

We studied 44 infants of whom 4 were resuscitated. More than 8000 pairs of observations were used for each comparison of HR and SpO2. The mean difference (±2SD) between HRECG and HRN ellcor was -0.8 (±11) beats per minute (bpm); between HRECG and HRM asimo was 0.2 (±9) bpm. The mean (±2SD) difference between SpO2Masimo and SpO2Nellcor was -3 (±15)%. The Nellcor PO measured 20% higher than the Masimo PO at SpO2 <70%.

CONCLUSION

Both oximeters accurately measure HR. There was good agreement between SpO2 measurements when SpO2 ≥70%. At lower SpO2 , agreement was poorer.

Feasibility of pulse oximetry for assessment of infants born in community based midwifery care

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the feasibility of using pulse oximetry (PO) for evaluating infants born in community-based midwifery care.

DESIGN

a prospective, observational study of infants born after midwifery supervised (home) births.

SETTING

27 midwives from seven practices providing primary care in (home) births used PO at birth or the early puerperal period over a ten-month period. Data were obtained on the effect of PO on outcome, interventions and decision-making. Midwives were surveyed about applicability and usefulness of PO.

PARTICIPANTS

153 infants born in primary midwifery care.

FINDINGS

all births were uncomplicated except for one infant receiving supplemental oxygen and another was mask ventilated. In 138/153 (90%) infants PO was successfully used and 88% of midwives found PO easy to use. In 148/153 (97%) infants PO did not influence midwives' clinical judgment and referral policy. In 5/153 (3%) infants, midwives were uncertain of the infant's condition, but PO measurements were reassuring. In case of suboptimal neonatal condition or resuscitation, 100% of midwives declared they would use PO again.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

it is feasible to use PO in community based midwifery care, but not considered an important contribution to routine evaluation of infants. Midwives would like to have PO available during suboptimal neonatal condition or when resuscitation is required.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

PO can be applied in community based midwifery care; it does not lead to insecurity or extra referral. Further research on a larger group of infants must show the effect of PO on neonatal outcomes.

Oxygen administration for the resuscitation of term and preterm infants

Oxygen has been widely used in neonatal resuscitation for about 300 years. In October 2010, the International Liaison Committee on Neonatal Resuscitation released new guidelines. Based on experimental studies and randomized clinical trials, the recommendations on evaluation and monitoring of oxygenation status and oxygen supplementation in the delivery room were revised in detail. They include: inaccuracy of oxygenation clinical assessment (colour), mandatory use of pulse oximeter, specific saturation targets and oxygen concentrations during positive pressure ventilation in preterm and term infants. In this review, we describe oxygen management in the delivery room in terms of clinical assessment, monitoring, treatment and the gap of knowledge.

A novel sonification strategy for auditory display of heart rate and oxygen saturation changes in clinical settings

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was development of a sonification scheme to convey deviations in heart rate and oxygen saturation from a desired target level.

BACKGROUND

Maintaining physiologic parameters, such as oxygen saturation, within desired ranges, is challenging in many clinical situations. High rates of false positive alarms in clinical settings limit the utility of the alarms that trigger when thresholds are exceeded. Auditory displays that consider the semantic connotations of sounds and the processing limitations of human perception and cognition may improve monitoring.

METHOD

Across two experiments, clinical practitioners were tested on their ability to (a) discriminate pairs of sounds (two-note discrimination task), (b) infer and discern the intended physiological connotation of each acoustic attribute (name-the-variable task), and (c) categorize the amount of change in an implied physiological variable into three levels of change: none, small, and large (change-magnitude task).

RESULTS

Considerable variation in performance was observed across the set of practitioners, ranging from near-perfect performance on all tasks, even with no prior exposure to the stimuli, to failure to reach a target accuracy criterion of 87.5% after -80 min of training. On average, performance was well above chance on the name-the-variable and change-magnitude tasks during initial exposure and reached criterion within -20 min of training on each task.

CONCLUSION

The described sonification strategy may effectively communicate information about current heart rate and oxygen saturation status relative to desired target levels.

APPLICATION

The results can be applied to clinical monitoring settings in which a stream of discrete auditory informational items is indicated.

Transitional changes in cardiac and cerebral hemodynamics in term neonates at birth

OBJECTIVE

To describe cardiac function, cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO(2)), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) that correspond to changes in arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) in normal term neonates immediately after birth and after the transition.

STUDY DESIGN

In this prospective observational study, cardiac function and cerebral hemodynamics were assessed by echocardiography and Doppler ultrasonography 3 times during the first 20 minutes after vaginal delivery, then again at 24-48 hours after delivery. Cerebral rSO(2) (by near-infrared spectroscopy) and preductal SaO(2) (by pulse oximetry) were assessed continuously.

RESULTS

In 20 neonates, SaO(2) increased progressively from 65% at 1 minute after birth to 97% at 17 minutes after birth. Cerebral rSO(2) increased from 47% at 1 minute to 83% at 8 minutes, then decreased progressively to 73% at 20 minutes. Middle cerebral artery mean velocity decreased from 34 cm/s at 7 minutes to 25 cm/s at 14 minutes. The patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) shunt was balanced at 5 minutes but became increasingly left to right. Left ventricular stroke volume was increased. Middle cerebral artery mean velocity demonstrated an inverse relationship with the PDA shunt. Further hemodynamic changes were noted on the posttransitional assessment.

CONCLUSION

After birth, ductal shunting rapidly changes from balanced to left to right, with a responsive increase in left ventricular stroke volume. Cerebral rSO(2) increases as SaO(2) rises during the first 8 minutes, subsequently, it decreases due to a drop in CBF and despite a further increase in SaO(2). The reduction in CBF is likely due to an increase in arterial O(2) content, PDA shunting, or both.

Pulse oximetry in pediatric practice

The introduction of pulse oximetry in clinical practice has allowed for simple, noninvasive, and reasonably accurate estimation of arterial oxygen saturation. Pulse oximetry is routinely used in the emergency department, the pediatric ward, and in pediatric intensive and perioperative care. However, clinically relevant principles and inherent limitations of the method are not always well understood by health care professionals caring for children. The calculation of the percentage of arterial oxyhemoglobin is based on the distinct characteristics of light absorption in the red and infrared spectra by oxygenated versus deoxygenated hemoglobin and takes advantage of the variation in light absorption caused by the pulsatility of arterial blood. Computation of oxygen saturation is achieved with the use of calibration algorithms. Safe use of pulse oximetry requires knowledge of its limitations, which include motion artifacts, poor perfusion at the site of measurement, irregular rhythms, ambient light or electromagnetic interference, skin pigmentation, nail polish, calibration assumptions, probe positioning, time lag in detecting hypoxic events, venous pulsation, intravenous dyes, and presence of abnormal hemoglobin molecules. In this review we describe the physiologic principles and limitations of pulse oximetry, discuss normal values, and highlight its importance in common pediatric diseases, in which the principle mechanism of hypoxemia is ventilation/perfusion mismatch (eg, asthma exacerbation, acute bronchiolitis, pneumonia) versus hypoventilation (eg, laryngotracheitis, vocal cord dysfunction, foreign-body aspiration in the larynx or trachea). Additional technologic advancements in pulse oximetry and its incorporation into evidence-based clinical algorithms will improve the efficiency of the method in daily pediatric practice.

Room-air versus oxygen administration for resuscitation of preterm infants: the ROAR study

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a blinded, prospective, randomized control trial to determine which oxygen-titration strategy was most effective at achieving and maintaining oxygen saturations of 85% to 92% during delivery-room resuscitation.

METHODS

Infants born at 32 weeks' gestation or less were resuscitated either with a static concentration of 100% oxygen (high-oxygen group) or using an oxygen-titration strategy starting from a concentration of 100% (moderate-oxygen group), or 21% oxygen (low-oxygen group). In the moderate- and low-oxygen groups, the oxygen concentration was adjusted by 20% every 15 seconds to reach a target oxygen saturation range of 85% to 92%. Treatment failure was defined as a heart rate slower than 100 beats per minute for longer than 30 seconds.

RESULTS

The moderate-oxygen group spent a greater proportion of time in the target oxygen saturation range (mean: 0.21 [95% confidence interval: 0.16-0.26]) than the high-oxygen group (mean: 0.11 [95% confidence interval: 0.09-0.14]). Infants in the low-oxygen group were 8 times more likely to meet the criteria for treatment failure than those in the high-oxygen group (24% vs 3%; P = .022). The 3 groups did not differ significantly in the time to reach the target oxygen saturation range.

CONCLUSIONS

Titrating from an initial oxygen concentration of 100% was more effective than giving a static concentration of 100% oxygen in maintaining preterm infants in a target oxygen saturation range. Initiating resuscitation with 21% oxygen resulted in a high treatment-failure rate.

Normal oxygen saturation trend in healthy term newborns within 30 minutes of birth

OBJECTIVE

To determine normal arterial oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) trend during first 30 min of life and to evaluate for difference in SpO(2) trends in healthy term newborns of normal vaginal delivery (NVD) and elective cesarean section (CS).

METHODS

This Prospective Cross-sectional Observational study was conducted in Department of Pediatrics and Obstetrics, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. Newborns born of NVD and elective CS in first 30 min of life, complying with the study criteria were included in the study. Soon after birth, newborns with Apgar score ≥ 7 were given routine care and pulse-oximeter probe was applied on wiped right hand continuously for 30 min. Readings were obtained at an interval of 5 min.

RESULTS

Among NVD, the mean SpO(2) at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min were 64.26%, 76.23%, 86.05%, 90.78%, 91.41%, 91.73% and 93.48%, respectively. The mean SpO(2) for CS was 67.43%, 78.50%, 88.44%, 90.81%, 91.46%, 91.83% and 92.88%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the SpO(2) between NVD and CS [95% CI = 74.8612-94.8359 in NVD and 77.1231-94.6912 in CS] and the correlation between NVD and CS being significant [r = 0.997 at 0.01 level]. There exists a strong positive correlation between Apgar and SpO(2) [r = 0.995, significant at 0.01 level (1-tailed) in NVD and r = 0.980, significant at 0.01 level (2-tailed) in CS].

CONCLUSIONS

The study defines the normal SpO(2) in healthy term newborns of NVD and CS delivered newborns and also concludes that there is no significant difference in SpO(2) among NVD and CS.

Monitoring oxygen saturation and heart rate in the early neonatal period

Pulse oximetry is commonly used to assist clinicians in assessment and management of newly born infants in the delivery room (DR). In many DRs, pulse oximetry is now the standard of care for managing high risk infants, enabling immediate and dynamic assessment of oxygenation and heart rate. However, there is little evidence that using pulse oximetry in the DR improves short and long term outcomes. We review the current literature on using pulse oximetry to measure oxygen saturation and heart rate and how to apply current evidence to management in the DR.

Defining the reference range for oxygen saturation for infants after birth

OBJECTIVE

The goal was to define reference ranges for pulse oxygen saturation (Spo(2)) values in the first 10 minutes after birth for infants who received no medical intervention in the delivery room.

METHODS

Infants were eligible if a member of the research team was available to record Spo(2) immediately after birth. Infants were excluded if they received supplemental oxygen or any type of assisted ventilation. Spo(2) was measured with a sensor applied to the right hand or wrist as soon as possible after birth; data were collected every 2 seconds.

RESULTS

We studied 468 infants and recorded 61650 Spo(2) data points. The infants had a mean + or - SD gestational age of 38 + or - 4 weeks and birth weight of 2970 + or - 918 g. For all 468 infants, the 3rd, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 97th percentile values at 1 minute were 29%, 39%, 66%, 87%, and 92%, respectively, those at 2 minutes were 34%, 46%, 73%, 91%, and 95%, and those at 5 minutes were 59%, 73%, 89%, 97%, and 98%. It took a median of 7.9 minutes (interquartile range: 5.0-10 minutes) to reach a Spo(2) value of >90%. Spo(2) values for preterm infants increased more slowly than those for term infants. We present percentile charts for all infants, term infants of > or = 37 weeks, preterm infants of 32 to 36 weeks, and extremely preterm infants of <32 weeks.

CONCLUSION

These data represent reference ranges for Spo(2) in the first 10 minutes after birth for preterm and term infants.

Pulse oximetry in the newborn: is the left hand pre- or post-ductal?

BACKGROUND

Over the past few years, great efforts have been made to screen duct-dependent congenital heart diseases in the newborn. Arterial pulse oximetry screening (foot and/or right hand) has been put forth as the most useful strategy to prevent circulatory collapse. The left hand, however, has always been ignored, as it was unclear if the ductus arteriosus influences left-hand arterial perfusion. The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of the arterial duct on neonatal pulse oximetry saturation (POS) on the left hand.

METHODS

In this observational study, arterial oxygen saturation on both hands and on one foot was measured within the first 4 hours of life.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty-one newborns were studied: 53% males and 47% were delivered by caesarean section. The median gestational age was 38 4/7 weeks (90% CI, 32 6/7 - 41 2/7 weeks), the median birth weight was 3140 g (90% CI, 1655 - 4110 g) and the median age at recording was 60 minutes (90% CI, 15 - 210 minutes). The mean POS for the overall study population was 95.7% (90% CI, 90 - 100%) on the right hand, 95.7% (90% CI, 90 - 100%) on the left hand, and 94.9% (90% CI, 86 - 100%) on the foot. Four subgroups (preterm infants, babies with respiratory disorders, neonates delivered by caesarean section, and newborns < or =15 minutes of age) were formed and analysed separately. None of the subgroups showed a statistically significant difference between the right and left hands. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression did not identify any associated factors influencing the POS on the left hand.

CONCLUSIONS

With the exception of some children with complex or duct dependent congenital heart defects and some children with persistent pulmonary hypertension, POS on both hands can be considered equally pre-ductal.