Oxygen saturation targets in pediatric respiratory disease

Background The present study aimed to assess the appropriate oxygen saturation target in patients with pediatric respiratory diseases by lowering the oxygen saturation target from SpO(2) 94% to 90%. No previous study has explored appropriate oxygen saturation targets in respiratory diseases other than bronchiolitis. Methods The present, prospective, single-arm intervention trial enrolled pediatric inpatients with bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma. The oxygen saturation target was lowered from SpO(2) 94% to 90% after the patients' general condition improved. The patients continued to be observed for 12 h after achieving SpO(2) 94%. The duration from the first cut-off point (SpO(2) 90% for 12 h without oxygen) to the second cut-off point (SpO(2) 94% for 12 h) was then evaluated. Results In total, 248 patients completed the study. Patients with bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma had an interval between the two cut-off points of 23.9, 15.5, 19.1, and 13.8 h, respectively, (mean 17.2 h; 95% confidence interval 15.0-19.5). Conclusions In generally healthy children, setting the oxygen saturation target at SpO(2) 90% after confirming improvement in their general condition was safe. The time required for increasing SpO(2) from 90% to 94% was longest in the patients with bronchiolitis.