[Pitfalls in hemoglobin oxygen saturation measurement: a case of chronic desaturation].
The measurement of oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2) is simple and fast. This non-invasive and widespread technique gives an indication of the oxygen level in arterial blood. While the method is reliable, there are limitations that can compromise the diagnostic procedure. The objective of the present paper is to list these limitations and discuss the precautions to be taken to optimize the interpretation of the results. Based on the case of a 3-year-old patient who presented with chronic hemoglobin oxygen desaturation, we discuss a decision-making algorithm in order to avoid unnecessary, expensive, and stressful investigations.
Service de pneumologie-pédiatrique, CIC-0005, CHU de Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France. Electronic address: sarah.eguienta@chu-bordeaux.fr.
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S
Eguienta
Service de pédiatrie, CS 55015 Saint-Michel, centre hospitalier d'Angoulême, 16959 Angoulême, France.
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L
Martigne
Laboratoire de biochimie, hôpital Pellegrin, CHU de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
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S
Dulucq
Service de pneumologie-pédiatrique, CIC-0005, CHU de Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France.
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Fayon
D000465:Algorithms; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*
D006454:Hemoglobins; D010100:Oxygen