A pilot study of neonatal and pediatric esophageal pulse oximetry.
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.
Kyriacou
Panayiotis A
PA
School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, City University, London, EC1V 0HB, UK. p.kyriacou@city.ac.uk
Jones
Deric P
DP
Langford
Richard M
RM
Petros
Andy J
AJ
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
D010100:Oxygen