• M J Gamponia, H Babaali, F Yugar, and R H Gilman.
• University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Family Medicine, Iowa City 52242, USA.
• Arch. Dis. Child. 1998 May 1;78(5):461-5.

ObjectiveTo determine reference values for oxygen saturation (Sao2) in healthy children younger than 5 years living at high altitude.DesignOne hundred and sixty eight children were examined for Sao2 at 4018 m during well child visits. Physiological state was also noted during the examination.ResultsThe mean Sao2 was 87.3% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 86.7%, 87.9%) with a median value of 87.7%. A significant difference was observed in Sao2 between children younger than 1 year compared with older children, although the difference was no longer demonstrable when sleeping children were excluded.ConclusionsThis study has provided a reference range of Sao2 values for healthy children under 5 years old so that pulse oximetry may be used as an adjunct in diagnosing acute respiratory infections. Younger children were also shown to have a lower mean Sao2 than older children living at high altitude, which suggests physiological adaptation to high altitude over time. In addition, sleep had a lowering effect on Sao2, although the clinical importance of this remains undetermined.

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