Prescription of home oxygen therapy to infants in Germany

There is no consensus on home oxygen therapy in infancy. We hypothesised th at this might lead to considerable variability in the practice of prescribi ng home oxygen to infants. To assess this variability, a structured questio nnaire was sent to all departments of Paediatrics in Germany (n = 380). Res ponse rate was 92% (n = 349). Indications were mostly (86%) based on long-t erm recordings of pulse oximeter saturation (SPO2). There was, however, a w ide range (85-94%, mean 90%) Of SPO2-values below which oxygen therapy was considered indicated. Hospitals more experienced with this therapy tended t o prescribe oxygen at SPO2 values closer to the physiological range. Simila rly, SPO2 values aimed for during therapy ranged from 86 to 100%, with hosp itals prescribing home oxygen more frequently aiming for higher values. The se differences would argue for concentrating home oxygen therapy to centers with the largest experience. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.