Performing Pulse Oximetry Screening in the Delivery Room Identified Newborn Infants Who Required Early Medical Attention.

AIM: This study assessed whether pulse oximetry screening was associated with maternal and newborn characteristics or predicted the need for early medical attention. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) were also monitored.

METHODS

Pulse oximetry screening was performed during delivery room discharge on 638/698 (91.4%) consecutive live-born infants at Oulu University Hospital, Finland, in 2006. All 638 had peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements and the peripheral perfusion index (PPI) was recorded for 459 infants, 103 ± 29 min after birth. CHDs were followed up until 13 years of age.

RESULTS

The infants (51.7% male) were born at 39.8 ± 1.4 gestational weeks. Those admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) had lower mean SpO2 values (97.2% vs. 98.4%, p = 0.048). Males had higher mean PPI values than females (1.96 vs. 1.66, p = 0.002). Low mean PPI values were associated with maternal labetalol (1.28 vs. 1.84, p = 0.033) and antimicrobial medication (1.61 vs. 1.86, p = 0.036). CHDs were rare and no surgery was required.

CONCLUSION

PPI values were gender-dependent and associated with maternal medication. Pulse oximetry screening had the potential to identify newborn infants in the delivery room who appeared healthy but required early medical attention.