Defining the reference range for oxygen saturation for infants after birth

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to define reference ranges for pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) 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 SpO2 immediately after birth. Infants were excluded if they received supplemental oxygen or any type of assisted ventilation. SpO2 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 61 650 SpO2 data points. The infants had a mean ± SD gestational age of 38 ± 4 weeks and birth weight of..