TITLE:
Oxygen Saturation Reference Values Using Percutaneous Pulse Oximetry in Apparently Healthy Neonates within the First 24 Hours of Life
AUTHORS:
Martha Omoo Ochoga, Igoche David Peter, Rose Okwunu Abah, Edwin Ehi Eseigbe, Aondoaseer Micheal, Iyornenge Ikuren, Ramatu Abdallah
KEYWORDS:
Oxygen Saturation, Pulse Oximeter, Newborn, Pre-Ductal, Post Ductal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.15 No.3,
May
31,
2025
ABSTRACT: Standard reference values for pre- and post-ductal oxygen saturation within the 1st 24 hours of life are essential for comparison and early detection of deviations from the norm. Such data is sparse in Nigeria. We determined the reference values for pre-ductal and post-ductal oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry during the first 24 hours of life in apparently healthy term infants in Makurdi, a city at an altitude of 113 m above sea level in North Central Nigeria. This study was cross-sectional and eligible neonates with birth weights ≥ 1500 g were consecutively enrolled. Pre- and post-ductal pulse oximetry readings were obtained using a Lifebox oximeter®. Four hundred and six neonates (91% normal weight, 6% LBW, and 3% macrosomic) were studied. Although the mean pre- and post-ductal oxygen saturation were found to differ significantly; 97.41% ± 1.52% and 96.66% ± 1.95% respectively (paired sample t = 8.359, p