AbstractObjective: To determine normal arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) trend during first 30 min of life and to evaluate for difference in SpO2 trends in healthy term newborns of normal delivered (NVD) and caserean section (CS) and to determine the possible relationship between the normal levels of oxygen saturation and birth weight at 0 and 5 th minute of life. Methods: This Prospective Cross-sectional Observational study was conducted in Department of Paediatric. Term neonates born by NVD and elective CS were included and readings of oxygen saturation levels were obtained at an interval of 5 minutes up to 30 minutes. Secondary objective is to determine the relation of SpO2 levels of term newborn with birth weight irrespective of mode of delivery. Results: Difference in values of NVD and CS neonates were statistically significant for 1 st and 30 th min (p- 0.001 and -0.003) respectively. SpO2 is negatively related to birth weight. Conclusions: The study defines the normal SpO2 in healthy term newborns of NVD and CS and also concludes that there is significant difference in SpO2 levels at 1 st and 30 th minute of life in NVD and CS babies. In healthy term newborns, levels of SpO2 measured at 1 st and 5 th minute of life are negatively related to birth weight.
Keywords: Oxygen Saturation; Normal Vaginal Delivery; Caesarean Section.