Performing Pulse Oximetry Screening in the Delivery Room Identified Newborn Infants Who Required Early Medical Attention.

Aim: This study assessed whether pulse oximetry screening was associated with maternal and newborn characteristics or predicted the need for early medical attention. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) were also monitored.

Methods: Pulse oximetry screening was performed during delivery room discharge on 638/698 (91.4%) consecutive live-born infants at Oulu University Hospital, Finland, in 2006. All 638 had peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements and the peripheral perfusion index (PPI) was recorded for 459 infants, 103 ± 29 min after birth. CHDs were followed up until 13 years of age.

Results: The infants (51.7% male) were born at 39.8 ± 1.4 gestational weeks. Those admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) had lower mean SpO2 values (97.2% vs. 98.4%, p = 0.048). Males had higher mean PPI values than females (1.96 vs. 1.66, p = 0.002). Low mean PPI values were associated with maternal labetalol (1.28 vs. 1.84, p = 0.033) and antimicrobial medication (1.61 vs. 1.86, p = 0.036). CHDs were rare and no surgery was required.

Conclusion: PPI values were gender-dependent and associated with maternal medication. Pulse oximetry screening had the potential to identify newborn infants in the delivery room who appeared healthy but required early medical attention.