Validation of Arterial Oxygen Saturation Measurements in Utero Using Pulse Oximetry

Andrew P. Harris; Michael J. Sendak; D. Christopher Chung; Charles A. Richardson

doi:10.1055/s-2007-994731

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol 1993; 10(3): 250-254
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994731

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Validation of Arterial Oxygen Saturation Measurements in Utero Using Pulse Oximetry

Andrew P. Harris, Michael J. Sendak, D. Christopher Chung, Charles A. Richardson

Departments of Anesthesiology/Critical Care Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, and Nellcor Incorporated, Hayward, California

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The noninvasive measurement of fetal arterial oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry could be of potential use in assessing fetal well-being in utero during labor. In this study, the accuracy and technical feasibility of reflectance pulse oximetry in utero was evaluated in acutely instrumented fetal sheep using a specially designed sensor. Following recalibration of the analysis algorithms, fetal arterial saturation could be measured by pulse oximetry in utero. Arterial oxygenation measurements obtained using pulse oximetry correlated well with simultaneous in vitro measurements over the range of 6 to 81%. We conclude that in utero pulse oximetry is technically feasible, appears useful and accurate, and merits further evaluation.

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