Although nocturnal oximetry has been used for OSAS management in resource-limited settings, little evidence is available regarding reference values in infancy. Our aim was to summarize reference values for oximetry parameters in healthy infants aged 1-6 months. Methods: Prospectively collected oximetry data from full-term infants without history of apnea, upper airway obstruction (UAO), craniofacial abnormalities, neuromuscular disorders, genetic syndromes or lung disease were analyzed. Summary statistics of oxyhemoglobin desaturation (?3%) index (ODI3),baseline SpO2, and cumulative nocturnal hypoxemia score ([%recording time-%RT with SpO2 90?94%]X1 + [%RT with SpO2 85?89%]X2 + [%RT with SpO2 80?84%]X3 + [%RT with SpO2 ?79%]X4) as well as frequency of abnormal McGill Oximetry Score (MOS>1) were calculated. Results: Data from 51 infants (median age 2.8 months; range 1-6.6) were analyzed (Table). ODI3 decreased linearly with age (P=.01) and MOS was abnormal in an appreciable proportion of participants.
|
Age(n) |
Baseline SpO2, median (10th-90th percentile) |
ODI3, median (10th-90th percentile) |
Cumulative nocturnal hypoxemia score, median (10th-90th percentile) |
McGill score>1 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 (29) | 98.1 (95.9-99.1) | 6.8 (2.2-15.9) | 4 (0.4-24.6) | 16/29 (56.2) |
| 3-4 (10) | 98.3 (96.1-99.3) | 4.2 (1.5-17.6) | 1.5 (0.2-15) | 3/10 (30) |
| 5-6 (12) | 97.9 (95.6-99.6) | 4.1 (0.7-9) | 1.6 (0.4-32.5) | 3/12 (25) |
Conclusions: In the first 1-6 months of life, nocturnal baseline SpO2 is above 95% and-in contrast to older children-ODI3 decreases with age while MOS is frequently abnormal in the absence of UAO.