title: Recovery scores do not correlate with postoperative hypoxemia in children.
abstract: The correlation between the degree of postanesthetic recovery (PAR) in children as measured by a modified Aldrete scoring system and oxygen saturation (SaO2) was studied. Eighty-one ASA PS I unpremedicated infants and children were studied. Oxygen saturation and PAR scores were recorded on arrival in the recovery room, then at 5-minute-intervals. Patients with SaO2 less than 95% were given supplemental oxygen. The proportion of children with SaO2 less than 95% and greater than or equal to 95% was not significantly different among patients with low PAR scores (less than or equal to 6) and those with high scores (7-10) in any age group. Similarly, the magnitude of SaO2 increase after oxygen supplementation did not seem to correlate with increasing wakefulness; i.e., higher PAR scores. It is concluded that children recovering from anesthesia can become hypoxemic in the recovery room. The degree of wakefulness as measured by a PAR score cannot be used to establish an end point for oxygen supplementation. Oxygen supplementation and/or SaO2 monitoring are recommended in all children recovering from anesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20010.
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Soliman
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ehrenpreis
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hannallah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007223:Infant; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012119:Respiration; D013997:Time Factors; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen