Reference values for oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry in healthy children at sea level in Chennai

There is little information on oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) values in children in developing countries. Aim: To determine the reference values for oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry in healthy children living at sea level in Chennai and aged between 1 mth and 5 yrs. Design and setting: A prospective study was conducted in Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital from February to May 2005. Methods: A total of 626 healthy children aged between 1 mth and 5 yrs were examined for heart rate, respiratory rate and SaO(2). Results: The mean SaO(2) levels for children in the age groups 1-3 mths, 3 mths to 1 yr, 1-3 years and 3-5 years were 98.5%, 98.8%, 98.9% and 99.1%, respectively. The overall mean and median SaO(2) values for the children in the different age groups were 99%. The mean -2 SD values of oxygen saturation in the age groups were 96.5%, 96.4%, 96.3% and 97.1%, respectively, with an overall mean of 96.6%. Conclusion: The reference value for mean SaO(2) in healthy children aged between 1 mth and 5 yrs and living at sea level in Chennai city was 98.5% or more, but the -2SD values had a mean of 96.6%.