Normal SPO2 index in newborns

The article is expertly advised by MSc. Dr. Nguyen Minh Tuan - Pediatrician at the Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital

SpO2 is an acronym for the phrase Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen - also known as a measure of the saturation of oxygen in the peripheral blood. This is an index measured through the skin. To measure this index, the doctor will use a device clamped on the tip of the patient's finger, toe, or earlobe.

In addition to 4 vital signs: pulse, temperature, blood pressure and breathing rate, now vital signs are added with SpO2 index. According to doctors, the average SpO2 index of humans above 94% is safe. Below is the SpO2 index scale to help assess the health situation of each person:
SpO2 from 97 - 99% : Good blood oxygen index; SpO2 from 94 - 96%: Average blood oxygen index, the patient needs to breathe more oxygen; SpO2 from 90-93%: Low blood oxygen index, need medical advice or go to the nearest hospital for a health check; SpO2 less than 90% : This is a clinical emergency.

Physicians recommend that newborns measure peripheral blood oxygen saturation (measurement of SpO2 in newborns). Measuring SpO2 is a simple, non-invasive, painless, easy to perform, quick and inexpensive method, helping to detect many congenital respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Measurement of SpO2 is done with the device pressed to the baby's right hand and right foot, reading the results after a few minutes.

Normal SpO2 in newborns is above 90%, preferably above 95% as standard index scale. Normally, at the SpO2 meter at the hospital, if the SpO2 index drops below 90%, the device will notify the medical staff for timely handling.
In some unusual cases, the SpO2 index in children will be lower than the standard level. That is:
SpO2 below 92% without oxygen or SpO2 below 95% with oxygen is a sign of severe respiratory failure; SpO2 decreased in infants with respiratory failure; The child is suspected of having severe congenital heart disease if the SpO2 index is less than 90% in both measurement locations (right arm and right leg); SpO2 above 90% but less than 95% in either measurement site or SpO2 difference of more than 5% between 2 measurement sites after 3 repeated measurements 1 hour apart. These cases all need to continue to be examined and diagnosed at pediatric cardiology centers. SpO2 is an important vital sign. Therefore, parents need to regularly monitor the SpO2 index when measuring for babies, if they see any abnormalities, they should immediately report to the doctor for direct treatment.