title: A pilot study of neonatal and pediatric esophageal pulse oximetry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this pilot study we explored the suitability of the esophagus as a new measuring site for blood oxygen saturation (Spo(2)) in neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A new miniaturized esophageal pulse oximeter has been developed. Five patients (one child and four neonates) were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spo(2) values were obtained in the esophagus of all patients. A Bland and Altman plot of the difference between Spo(2) values from the esophageal pulse oximeter and a commercial toe pulse oximeter against their mean showed that the bias and the limits of agreement between the two pulse oximeters were +0.3% and +1.7% to -1.0%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that the esophagus can be used as an alternative site for monitoring blood oxygen saturation in children and neonates.
authors: School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, City University, London, EC1V 0HB, UK. p.kyriacou@city.ac.uk
authors: Panayiotis A
authors: PA
authors: Kyriacou
authors: Deric P
authors: DP
authors: Jones
authors: Richard M
authors: RM
authors: Langford
authors: Andy J
authors: AJ
authors: Petros
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D004947:Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods; D010092:Oximetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D017156:Photoplethysmography; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen