Audit of Neonatal Pulse Oximetry Screening

Neonatal and pediatric pulse oximetry.

The pulse oximeter has become a vital instrument in the care of infants and children with cardiopulmonary disease. Recent advances in pulse oximetry technology have improved some aspects of pulse oximeter performance. However, the reliability, accuracy, and clinical utility of pulse oximetry remain problematic in some types of patients under certain conditions. Improved signal processing techno...

Accuracy of pulse oximetry during neonatal resuscitation

Pulse oximetry screening for congenital heart disease.

The recent paper by Ewer et al 1 and an accompanying editorial 2 in the Lancet raised the question of universal pulse oximetry screening of newborn infants on the postnatal ward prior to discharge. In the Republic of Ireland there are 75,000 births annually, distributed across nineteen maternity units. We surveyed all of these units regarding the use of oxygen saturation screening on the postna...

Newborn pulse oximetry screening in practice.

The concept of using pulse oximetry (PO) as a screening test to identify newborn babies with critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) before life-threatening collapse occurs has been debated for some time now. Several recent large studies have consistently shown that PO screening adds value to existing screening techniques with over 90% of CCHDs detected. It can also help identify newborn babie...

A pilot study of neonatal and pediatric esophageal pulse oximetry.

BACKGROUND In this pilot study we explored the suitability of the esophagus as a new measuring site for blood oxygen saturation (Spo(2)) in neonates. METHODS A new miniaturized esophageal pulse oximeter has been developed. Five patients (one child and four neonates) were studied. RESULTS Spo(2) values were obtained in the esophagus of all patients. A Bland and Altman plot of the difference ...