Pulse oximetry curves in healthy children living at moderate altitude: a cross-sectional study from the Ecuadorian Andes

Abstract

Background In populations above 3,000 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) normal values of oxygen saturation (SpO2) above 90% have been reported. Few studies have been conducted in cities of moderate altitude (between 2,500 and 3,000 m a.s.l). We set out to describe the range of SpO2 values measured with a pulse oximeter in healthy children between 1 month and 12 years of age living in an Ecuadorian Andean city. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in Quito, Ecuador, located at 2,810 m a.s.l. SpO2 measurement in healthy children of ages ranging from 1 month to 12 years of age residents in the city were recorded by pulse oximetry. Age and gender were recorded, and median and 2.5th and 5th percentile were drawn. Non parametric tests were used to compare differences in SpO2 values by age and gender. Results 1,378 healthy children were included for the study, 719 (52.2%) males. The median SpO2 for the entire population was 94.5%. No differences were observed between SpO2 median values by age and gender. The 2.5th percentile for global SpO2 measurements was 90%, in children under 5 years of age was 91% and it was 90% in children older than 7. Conclusions Our results provide SpO2 values for healthy children from 1 to 12 years old residents in Quito, a city of moderate altitude. The SpO2 percentile curve could contribute as a healthy range for the clinical evaluation of children residing at this altitude.

Oxygen Saturation in Primary Teeth of Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait

“… 4 Tissue oxygen saturation of 90–100% in healthy (HbAA) individuals is considered to be within the normal range. 5 …”

Defining hypoxaemia from pulse oximeter measurements of oxygen saturation in well children at low altitude in Bangladesh: an observational study

“…9 10 This approach has been applied to SpO 2 measurements in children, with most research to date focused on children residing at higher altitudes. [11][12][13][14][15] In this study, we define hypoxaemia from the SpO 2 distribution of well children residing at lower altitude in rural Bangladesh who are participating in a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) effectiveness study. We also consider the potential health system implications of implementing a SpO 2 threshold for hypoxaemia derived from a population of well children.…”

Reference values for babies' pulse oximetry recordings, highlighting the impact of cesarean sections and COVID-19 pandemic

“…As regards the cut-off value for oxygen saturation, the world health organization determines a pulse oximetry oxygen saturation threshold value of 90%. 1 The 90% cutoff threshold may not be as beneficial at elevations higher than 3,000 m asl ( above sea level), where oxygen saturation rates are lower than at sea level. 2 The "normal" SpO 2 (Pulse oximetry oxygen saturation) at sea level has been determined to be between 95% and 100% in clinical practice; nevertheless, other writers consider readings between 95% and 96% to be abnormal.…”

“…2 The "normal" SpO 2 (Pulse oximetry oxygen saturation) at sea level has been determined to be between 95% and 100% in clinical practice; nevertheless, other writers consider readings between 95% and 96% to be abnormal. 1 As previously discussed, it might be difficult to pinpoint the precise cut-off value for oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry.…”