Pediatric research
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Transmission pulse oximetry is widely used for oxygen monitoring. The use of pulse oximeters is steadily expanding toward situations with low arterial oxygen saturation (Sao2) values. Therefore, we evaluated transmission pulse oximetry in the unanesthetized fetal lamb at low Sao2 levels. ⋯ Continuous recordings were obtained both from the forelimb muscle and from the neck, but the recordings from the neck showed a substantial loss of signal during the hypoxemia period. We conclude that transmission pulse oximetry is less accurate below an Sao2 of 70% in fetal lambs than above 70% Sao2. At these low levels of Sao2, pulse oximeters may need to be constructed with different calibration lines for various application positions of the body.