Which assessment helps determine the target pre-ductal oxygen saturation during neonatal resuscitation?

• A. Reliability of pulse oximetry signal and pre-ductal saturation values
• B. Visible color alone
• C. Heart rate alone
• D. Respiratory rate alone

Answer: (A)

In neonatal resuscitation, you guide oxygen delivery by the oxygen saturation reading from a pulse oximeter placed on the right hand—the pre-ductal site. The best assessment is ensuring the pulse oximeter signal is reliable and monitoring the pre-ductal saturation values, because this measurement reflects the arterial oxygen saturation before mixing through the ductus arteriosus and provides the real target to titrate inspired oxygen. Relying on visible color is unreliable, and heart rate or respiratory rate alone do not give the specific oxygen saturation needed to set FiO2.