Oxygen saturation profile in late-preterm and term infants: a prospective cohort study

Objective: To determine oxygen saturation profile over 6 h monitoring period in healthy late-preterm and term neonates during the first 48 h of age, and to assess the impact of gestational age, birth weight and method of delivery on this profile. Study Design: Prospective cohort study of measurement of SpO 2 over 6 h in 20 late-preterm (35 to 36 weeks gestation) and 40 term infants within 12 to 48 h of birth was conducted. Infants with cardiorespiratory symptoms or need for cardiorespiratory support at birth were excluded. Percentage time spent at SpO 2 >90% and ⩽90% was calculated by gestational age and birth weight. Result: Late-preterm infants and infants born weighing 90% was significantly different between late-preterm and term infants (93% (5%) vs 96% (3%); P =0.002). Time at SpO 2 >90% was not significantly different between males and females (95% (5%) vs 95% (4%), both n =30; P =0.72) or between vaginal births and cesarean births (95% (4%), n =32, vs 95% (4%), n =28; P =0.39). Cumulative time with SpO 2