Effects of maternal oxygen administration on fetal pulse oximetry measured by fetal pulse oximetry

Abstract

We read with interest the article by Haydon and colleagues,1Haydon M.L. Gorenberg D.M. Nageotte M.P. et al.The effect of maternal oxygen administration on fetal pulse oximetry during labor in fetuses with nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns Trans 26th Annu Meet Soc Maternal-Fetal Med.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006; 195: 735-738Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (64) Google Scholar reporting the effects of maternal O2 administration on fetal O2 saturation measured by fetal pulse oximetry (FSpO2) in fetuses with nonreassuring fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns. The authors found a significant increase in FSpO2 with an administered inspired O2 concentration (FiO2) of both 40% and 100%. In quoting our previously published work,2Dildy G.A. Clark S.L. Loucks C.A. Intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry: the effects of maternal hyperoxia on fetal arterial oxygen saturation.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1994; 171: 1120-1124Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (55) Google Scholar the authors stated that we found an increased FSpO2 after 100%, but not 40%, maternal FiO2. Although these were the stated findings in our primary article on the effects of supplemental O2 in uncomplicated pregnancies with normal FHR patterns,2Dildy G.A. Clark S.L. Loucks C.A. Intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry: the effects of maternal hyperoxia on fetal arterial oxygen saturation.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1994; 171: 1120-1124Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (55) Google Scholar a subsequent published analysis of our data showed that 40% O2 did indeed have an effect in increasing FSpO2, especially when the FSpO2 was relatively low.3Dildy G.A. Clark S.L. Loucks C.A. Intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry: The effects of maternal hyperoxia on fetal arterial oxygen saturation [letter].Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1995; 172: 1940-1943Abstract Full Text PDF Google Scholar Thus, the findings of Haydon and colleagues further substantiate our conclusions that hypoxic or borderline hypoxic fetuses may benefit from supplemental maternal O2 at concentrations typically administered in clinical practice. We read with interest the article by Haydon and colleagues,1Haydon M.L. Gorenberg D.M. Nageotte M.P. et al.The effect of maternal oxygen administration on fetal pulse oximetry during labor in fetuses with nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns Trans 26th Annu Meet Soc Maternal-Fetal Med.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006; 195: 735-738Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (64) Google Scholar reporting the effects of maternal O2 administration on fetal O2 saturation measured by fetal pulse oximetry (FSpO2) in fetuses with nonreassuring fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns. The authors found a significant increase in FSpO2 with an administered inspired O2 concentration (FiO2) of both 40% and 100%. In quoting our previously published work,2Dildy G.A. Clark S.L. Loucks C.A. Intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry: the effects of maternal hyperoxia on fetal arterial oxygen saturation.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1994; 171: 1120-1124Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (55) Google Scholar the authors stated that we found an increased FSpO2 after 100%, but not 40%, maternal FiO2. Although these were the stated findings in our primary article on the effects of supplemental O2 in uncomplicated pregnancies with normal FHR patterns,2Dildy G.A. Clark S.L. Loucks C.A. Intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry: the effects of maternal hyperoxia on fetal arterial oxygen saturation.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1994; 171: 1120-1124Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (55) Google Scholar a subsequent published analysis of our data showed that 40% O2 did indeed have an effect in increasing FSpO2, especially when the FSpO2 was relatively low.3Dildy G.A. Clark S.L. Loucks C.A. Intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry: The effects of maternal hyperoxia on fetal arterial oxygen saturation [letter].Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1995; 172: 1940-1943Abstract Full Text PDF Google Scholar Thus, the findings of Haydon and colleagues further substantiate our conclusions that hypoxic or borderline hypoxic fetuses may benefit from supplemental maternal O2 at concentrations typically administered in clinical practice. ReplyAmerican Journal of Obstetrics & GynecologyVol. 196Issue 4PreviewWe appreciate the letter from Drs Dildy and Clark regarding our recent article concerning the effects of maternal O2 administration on fetal O2 saturation in fetuses with nonreassuring fetal heart rate patterns.1 In our review and analysis of the literature we did quote their findings demonstrating an increase in FSpO2 after 100% but not 40% FiO2.2 We acknowledge and agree that their subsequent analysis published in a letter did report increases in FSpO2 after the administration of 40% FiO2 in fetuses with normal fetal heart rate patterns. Full-Text PDF