Low signal quality pulse oximetry measurements in newborn infants are reliable for oxygen saturation but underestimate heart rate

Aim We assessed the influence of system messages (SyMs) on oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate measurements after birth to see whether clinical decision‐making changed if clinicians included SyM data. Methods The heart rate and SpO2 of term infants were recorded using Masimo pulse oximeters. Differences in means and standard deviations (SD) were calculated. Permutation corrected the nonrandom distribution and intersubject variation. SpO2 and heart rate centile charts were computed with, and without, SyMs. Results Pulse oximetry measurements from 117 neonates provided 28 477 data points. SyMs occurred in 46% of measurements. Low signal quality accounted for 99.9% of SyMs. The mean SpO2 was lower with SyMs (p