Percentiles of Oxygen Saturations (SpO2) and Heart Rates (HR) in Premature Infants in the Delivery Room

Background: The aim was to describe reference values of oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) in preterm infants immediately after birth. Methods: The preterm (< 35 gestational age) infants who did not require any intervention were included in the study. The recordings were taken by pulse oximetry during the first 15 minutes of life. Results: Totally 151 infants were analyzed. At 1 minute, the median (IQR) preductal SpO2 and HR were 61% (57 - 66) and 100 (90 - 107.3) bpm, rising at 5, 10 and 15 minutes to 80% (75 - 84) and 155 (142 - 164) bpm, 90% (88 - 92) and 155 (150 - 160) bpm, 96% (94 - 98) and 155 (149 - 162) bpm respectively. Conclusions: Oxygen saturation levels of preterm infants in delivery room are lower than reported in NRP guidelines. Clinicians who use pulse oximetry in HR follow up of premature babies should know HR may be < 100 bpm in first minutes of life and should avoid unnecessary positive pressure ventilation.