Comparison between transcutaneous PO2 and pulse oximetry for monitoring O2-treatment in newborns.

213 paired tcpO2/paO2-data and 186 paired tcSO2/SaO2-data measured in 25 newborns (10 term, 15 prematures) were compared. The correlation coefficient for tcpO2/paO2 was 0.796, for tcSO2/SaO2 0.944. Sensitivity for discriminating between normo- and hypoxemia (paO2 less than 50 torr) was 82% for the tcpO2- and 88% for the tcSO2-method. Positive predictive values for discriminating between normo- and hypoxemia were 88% for both methods. Sensitivity for discrimination between normo- and hyperoxemia (paO2 greater than 100 torr) was 85% for the tcpO2- and 100% for the tcSO2-method. Positive predictive values for the discrimination between normo- and hyperoxemia were 58% and 25% for tcpO2- and tcSO2 respectively. Pulse oximetry proved to be less cumbersome than the tcpO2-method. However, as tcpO2, it could not be used in some very immature newborns and in those with circulatory instability. In conclusion, these preliminary results show a similar discrimination between normoxemia and hypo-hyperoxemia for both methods. A better sensitivity of pulse oximetry for hyperoxemia is counteracted by a lesser positive predictive value.