Oxygen saturation and breathing patterns in infancy. 2: Preterm infants at discharge from special care

Article Abstract:

Episodes of apnea, or cessation of breathing, occur with greater frequency in premature infants than in full term infants, and may be triggered by hypoxemia (a low level of oxygen in the blood). However, brief falls in blood oxygen levels are normal in infants. Information about the normal variations in blood oxygen levels of premature infants should help to identify abnormal episodes of hypoxemia. Arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2; a measure of the oxygen level in arterial blood), breathing movements, and airflow were assessed in 66 premature infants born between 25 and 36 weeks' gestation (period since conception). The infants remained in a special care unit until their gestational ages were 37 weeks. None of the infants were treated with oxygen therapy. Most infants had an SaO2 of about 99.4 percent at birth; normal SaO2 is 96 to 100 percent. However, in 8 of the babies the SaO2 was less than 97 percent, the lowest value observed in full-term infants. Desaturation (a drop in SaO2 to 80 percent or less) occurred in all but one premature infant; these episodes were more frequent and of longer duration in the premature infants. Gestational age at birth was not related to the frequency of desaturation episodes. However, the frequency of prolonged desaturation (SaO2 of 80 percent or less lasting 4 seconds or more) decreased with increasing gestational age. Five percent of the desaturation episodes occurred despite continued breathing movements and continuous airflow. The SaO2 values were less than 95 percent in three babies, and two additional infants had many more desaturation episodes than the other infants in the study. However, none of these five infants had any airway or breathing abnormalities. These findings suggest that reference data on arterial oxygenation in premature infants may be useful in identifying low blood oxygen levels. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Testing, Infants (Premature), Premature infants, Hypoxia, Anoxia, Respiration

---

Effect of salbutamol on oxygen saturation in bronchiolitis

Article Abstract:

Bronchiolitis is the inflammation of the bronchioles, which are the smaller branches of the bronchi, or airways. This disorder is a common reason that infants are admitted to the hospital. Studies examining the benefits of drugs that open the bronchial passages have produced inconsistent results. Some studies show that bronchodilators improve the flow of air into the bronchi and bronchioles, whereas other studies have shown that certain types of bronchodilators, called the sympathomimetics, may worsen hypoxia, a condition of oxygen insufficiency. The arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) is a measure of oxygen levels in the blood and can be used to assess the ventilation-perfusion balance, or relation between the amount of air inhaled and supply of oxygen to tissues. The effect of the sympathomimetic salbutamol, given in the aerosol form, on SaO2 was assessed in 21 infants with bronchiolitis due to infection with respiratory syncytial virus. Desaturation, revealed by a decrease in the SaO2 value, occurred after administration of the aerosol containing either salbutamol or saline. However, saline did not decrease SaO2 when given after salbutamol. Salbutamol caused a greater and longer decrease in SaO2 than saline. Regular use of salbutamol given as an aerosol is not recommended for treating bronchiolitis in infants. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Drug therapy, Bronchiolitis, Albuterol, Sympathomimetic agents

---

Oxygen saturation in cystic fibrosis

Article Abstract:

Pulse oximetry is a simple noninvasive procedure for measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood that produces results rapidly. The oxygen saturation (SaO2), a measure of the oxygen in the blood as determined by oximetry, was assessed in 100 children with cystic fibrosis and 50 children with asthma, who were all between five and 16 years of age. The relation between SaO2 and the patient's clinical condition was also examined. SaO2 was related to lung function, as indicated by measurement of the forced expiratory volume at one second, in all subjects. In cystic fibrosis patients, the SaO2 value was related to the Shwachman-Kulczycki score, a composite of general activity, physical examination, nutrition, and X-ray findings. It was also related to increased body weight and chronic infection with the bacterial species Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus. An increase in SaO2 was associated with a decrease in the Crispin-Norman chest X-ray score. These findings suggest that the measurement of SaO2 by pulse oximetry may help in assessing patients with cystic fibrosis and produce results that are similar to that of other tests of disease severity. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Development and progression, Cystic fibrosis, Oximetry, Pediatric respiratory diseases, Cystic fibrosis in children

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Spontaneous resolution of bone mineral depletion in preterm infants. Bone mineral content and body size 65 to 100 weeks' postconception in preterm and full term infants
• Abstracts: Atrial natriuretic peptide and blood volume during red cell transfusion in preterm infants. Atrial natriuretic factor and postnatal diuresis in respiratory distress syndrome
• Abstracts: What is a low-lying placenta? Limitations in the clinical prediction of intrapartum fetal asphyxia. The current status of maternal and fetal blood flow velocimetry
• Abstracts: Transmission of infectious diseases in outpatient health care settings. Infectious diseases and injuries in child day care: opportunities for healthier children
• Abstracts: The individual vs society: resolving the conflict. What care is 'essential'? What services are 'basic'?

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.