Pulse oximetry - a new method of measuring blood pressure in children

ABSTRACT

Forty patients were selected from the out patient department of Children's hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore and were divided into two groups according to their weight; group 1 [5-15 kg] and group 2 [> 15kg]. Blood pressures were measured in these children by 3 methods i.e. sphygmomanometer. Automated oscillometry and pulse oximetry at the same time. Pulse oximetry measurements were obtained with a blood pressure cuff proximal to the oximeter probe. These readings approximated to the systolic blood pressure recorded by other methods. The absolute differences between mean systolic blood pressure measured by sphygmomanometer and pulse oximetry were 2 and 1.80 mm Hg. in group I and II respectively. The difference between oscillometric and pulse oximetry mean systolic BP were 4.5 and 1.70 mm Hg. in group I and 2 respectively. The correlation coefficients [r] for sphygmomanometer BP compared with oximetric measurements were 0.71 and 0.77 while between oscillometric and oximetric systolic blood pressures were 0.59 and 0.76 for groups 1 and 2 respectively. It was concluded that pulse oximetry is a useful alternative non-invasive method for blood pressure measurement in children