pulse oximetry
A non-invasive method to measure oxygen saturation in blood, used in newborn screening for critical congenital heart disease.
Full Definition
Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive monitoring technique that uses light absorption properties to measure the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood. In newborn screening, pulse oximetry is performed using small sensors placed on the infant's right hand and either foot to detect critical congenital heart disease. The test measures functional oxygen saturation and can identify infants with cyanotic heart defects or other conditions causing hypoxemia before clinical symptoms become apparent. Normal values in healthy newborns are typically greater than 95% with less than 3% difference between upper and lower extremity measurements.
In Context
- "Pulse oximetry screening identified an infant with coarctation of the aorta before discharge from the nursery." — Case report
- "The pulse oximetry protocol requires measurements from both pre- and post-ductal sites to detect critical congenital heart disease." — Screening procedure manual