• This is an non-invasive method to monitor the capillary oxygen levels from the periphery of body
• This is always expressed as percentage.
• These are arbitrary numbers which should always be used in conjunction of the clinical presentation of the child

Sites used

• Finger tips
• Toe
• Earlobe

Method

• Pulse oximetry sensor consists of a red light device and a receiver.
• It is very important that the light and the receiver lie opposite to each other.
• The site should be warm with good blood flow
• If the periphery is cold then try to place a bag of warm water over the limb to warm it up.
• Any excess movement at the limb site can cause aberrant waves and the pulse oximeter to not pick up the saturations. Try to pacify the child for better reading

Care

• Check the site of sensor every hourly to make sure it’s not too tight and not compromising the circulation
• The site of sensor should be changed at least every 2 hours a prolonged placement at a site can cause burns

Interpretation

• Normal range in new-born- can be from 85% to 90% based on time since birth
• Older children 95% to 99%

Abnormal values

Low values can be seen in

• Cold periphery
• Hypotension
• Methemoglobinemia