Title: Pulse Oximetry Screening for Babies
Headings: Pulse Oximetry Screening for Babies
Pulse Oximetry Screening for Babies
How Is a Pulse Oximetry Test Performed?
Is Pulse Oximetry Testing Safe?
Why Is Pulse Oximetry Testing Important?

Content: Pulse Oximetry Screening for Babies
Pulse Oximetry Screening for Babies
Email
Print
12/20/2014
<%url:"/resources/flash/WilliamsPulseOximetry.flv",title:"Learn About Pulse Oximetry Screenings and Their Life-Saving Benefits",mode:"transparent" %>
A pulse oximetry reading, such as the one shown here, indicates the percentage of hemoglobin in the red blood cells that contains oxygen. Normal is over 95%, while babies with heart defects can have saturations from 60% to 94%, or there may be a significant difference between saturations measured in the arms and legs. Babies who have a positive pulse oximetry screening should be evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist. A pulse oximetry screen is a noninvasive (and painless) test performed on all newborn babies to determine the level of oxygen in their blood. This test uses rays of light of different wavelengths to measure the percent of hemoglobin (the part of blood that carries oxygen) that is filled with oxygen. Normally, a newborn baby should have an oxygen saturation level that is greater than 95%. Screening using pulse oximetry can detect some infants with congenital heart disease who otherwise may go undetected for a while. There are some congenital heart defects that cause a newborn baby to have lower oxygen saturation in the blood after birth. It often can be difficult to determine if a baby has cyanosis ( bluish discoloration of the skin due to poor oxygen content of the blood) just by looking at him or her after birth. How Is a Pulse Oximetry Test Performed?