Oxygen saturation targets in pediatric respiratory disease

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to assess the appropriate oxygen saturation target in patients with pediatric respiratory diseases by lowering the oxygen saturation target from SpO2 94% to 90%. No previous study has explored appropriate oxygen saturation targets in respiratory diseases other than bronchiolitis.MethodsThe present, prospective, single‐arm intervention trial enrolled pediatric inpatients with bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma. The oxygen saturation target was lowered from SpO2 94% to 90% after the patients' general condition improved. The patients continued to be observed for 12 h after achieving SpO2 94%. The duration from the first cut‐off point (SpO2 90% for 12 h without oxygen) to the second cut‐off point (SpO2 94% for 12 h) was then evaluated.ResultsIn total, 248 patients completed the study. Patients with bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma had an interval between the two cut‐off points of 23.9, 15.5, 19.1, and 13.8 h, respectively, (mean 17.2 h; 95% confidence interval 15.0–19.5).ConclusionsIn generally healthy children, setting the oxygen saturation target at SpO2 90% after confirming improvement in their general condition was safe. The time required for increasing SpO2 from 90% to 94% was longest in the patients with bronchiolitis.