REFLECTANCE PULSE OXIMETRY IN NEONATES

Objective: To test the feasibility and reliability in neonates of an i n-house reflectance pulse oximetry (RPOX) system as an alternative met hod of non-invasive oxygen saturation monitoring when transmission pul se oximetry (TPOX) cannot be used, as in fetal scalp oxygen saturation monitoring during delivery. Study Design: The study population consis ted of 31 intensive care neonates. The RPOX sensor was attached by suc tion to the forehead, cheek, occiput and back; recordings were under s imultaneous TPOX control. Results: There was close agreement between R POX and TPOX oxygen saturation and heart rate values, even in periodic breathing. RPOX signals from the back were unreliable because of brea thing artifacts. Differences in mean absolute RPOX and TPOX oxygen sat uration values were due to different calibrations. Both systems were e qually sensitive to motion artifacts. Conclusion: As a feasible and re liable method of non-invasive oxygen saturation monitoring in neonates , RPOX has potential applications in fetal scalp monitoring.