THE MEASUREMENT OF PERIPHERAL VENOUS OXYHEMOGLOBIN SATURATION IN NEWBORN-INFANTS BY NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY WITH VENOUS OCCLUSION

A novel, noninvasive method for measuring peripheral venous oxygen sat uration (Svo2) in newborn infants using near infrared spectroscopy (NI RS) with venous occlusion is described, along with a comparison with c o-oximetry of peripheral venous blood. Peripheral Svo2 was measured in 16 newborn infants by NIRS with venous occlusion, and the results wer e compared with those obtained by co-oximetry of blood from a forearm vein. There was a significant correlation between the two measurements (r = 0.85, p < 0.0001) and close agreement between the two techniques (mean difference (co-oximeter - NIRS) 6%, limits of agreement -5.1% t o 17.1%). Three different methods for analysis of the NIRS data were e xamined to determine which period during the venous occlusion provided the most accurate measurement. The agreement was the same for all met hods of analysis.