Oxygen Saturation Profiles in Healthy Term Infants in Early Postnatal Life.

Objective: Oxygen saturation profiles generated by pulse oximetry are used as a clinical tool in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There is limited evidence on normal oxygen saturation profile values in term infants. This study aimed to determine oxygen saturation profiles over an 8-hour monitoring period among healthy term neonates between 24 and 48 hours after birth.

Pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease in planned out-of-hospital births.

Objectives: To describe the use of pulse oximetry screening (POS) for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD).

Study Design: This observational study of Wisconsin out-of-hospital births was performed from January to November, 2013. Licensed midwives, Amish birth attendants, and public health nurses were trained in the use of pulse oximetry to detect CCHD, supplied with pulse oximeters, and reported screening results and clinical outcomes.

Pulse oximetry screening in Wisconsin.

Introduction: Pulse oximetry can be used as a screening tool to detect critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in neonates prior to hospital discharge and the development of symptoms. Newborns suspected of having CCHD based on pulse oximetry screening should have the diagnosis excluded or confirmed with echocardiography. However, echocardiography is not immediately available in all settings in which newborns are delivered and the best course of action in these settings remains to be determined.