ABSTRACT
Background: Failure to seek early care and delays in hospital diagnosis are commonly acknowledged determinants of mortality in childhood pneumonia with a higher proportion specially in under developed countries like Bangladesh. Rather than detecting pneumonia by only signs, pulse oximetry may be a useful tool in ensuring the most efficient use of oxygen therapy, which is especially important in resource-limited settings. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between pulse oximetry and the clinical profile of children with pneumonia.Material & Methods:This cross-sectional type of descriptive study was conducted in Department of Pediatric, Rangpur Medical Collage and Hospital, Rangpur from July 2014 to June 2016. This study was carried out on 205 Children aged 2-59 months suffering from pneumonia inpatient and outpatient of Pediatric department.Results:It was observed that majority (91.7%) patients had cough184(89.8%) had breathing difficulty and 173(84.4%) patients had fast breathing. It was observed that majority (92.2%) patients had ability to cry while examined. Majority (90.7%) patients had crepitations. Three (1.5%) patients was found pallor of palms, 178 (86.8%) patients were heart rate ?100 beats per minute, 196(95.6%) were capillary refill time <3 second, 4(2.0%) hepatomegaly >2 cm and 131(63.9%) had temperature ? 38 °C. It was observed that Hypoxemia (?90%) was found 51(24.9%) of the patients. The mean SpO2 was found 88.6±4.7 percent with range from 70 to 99 percent.Conclusions:Cough, breathing difficulty and fast breathing are most common signs of children with pneumonia. Through pulse oximetry test, the prevalence of hypoxaemia was found in 24.9% children.