• J G Jones, G G Lockwood, N Fung, J Lasenby, R I Ross-Russell, D Quine, and B J Stenson.
• Department of Anaesthesia, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
• Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2016 Jul 1; 101 (4): F319-22.

AimTo describe how the stability of oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2%) varies within and between infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).MethodsClinically stable infants with BPD had SpO2 measured at different inspired oxygen concentrations (FIO2 expressed as %). A computer model of gas exchange, that is, ventilation/perfusion ratio (VA/Q) and shunt, plotted the curve of SpO2 versus FIO2 best fitting these data. The slope of this curve is the change in SpO2 per % change in FIO2, hence SpO2 stability, calculated at each SpO2 from 85% to 95%.ResultsData from 16 infants with BPD previously described were analysed. The dominant gas exchange impairment was low VA/Q (median 0.35, IQR, 0.16-0.4, normal 0.86). Median shunt was 1% (IQR, 0-10.5; normal <2%). Slope varied markedly between infants, but above 95% SpO2 was always <1.5. In infants with least severe BPD (VA/Q ≈0.4, shunt ≤2%) median slope at 85% SpO2 was 5.1 (IQR, 3.7-5.5). With more severe BPD (VA/Q ≤0.3) slope was flatter throughout the SpO2 range. The highest FIO2 for 90% SpO2 was in infants with the lowest VA/Q values.ConclusionsIn infants with BPD, there was large variation in the slope of the curve relating SpO2% to inspired oxygen fraction in the SpO2 range 85%-95%. Slopes were considerably steeper at lower than higher SpO2, especially in infants with least severe BPD, meaning that higher SpO2 target values are intrinsically much more stable. Steep slopes below 90% SpO2 may explain why some infants appear dependent on remarkably low oxygen flows.Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

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