Pulse oximetry vs non-invasive blood pressure/oscillometry to record blood pressure in neonates: A prospective observational study

Aim: To assess the usefulness and efficacy of pulse oximetry (disappearance/reappearance of plethsmographic waves) as a method of non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in neonates. Objective: To investigate the reliability of the plethysmographic wave form of the pulse oximeter to measure the systolic blood pressure. Study Setting: A prospective observational study was done to assess usefulness and efficacy of pulse oximetry (disappearance/reappearance of plethysmographic waves) as a method of non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in neonates. Material and Methods: The study was conducted among 500 neonates to investigate the reliability of the plethysmographic waveform of the pulse oximeter to measure the systolic blood pressure as it is a easy way to perform and non invasive. Statistical Analysis Used: The results will compare and analyse statistically by Pearson correlation co-efficient. Regression modeling will carried out to explain the relationship of non-invasive blood pressure with mean DP and RP and attempted to predict the non-invasive blood pressure from mean DP/mean RP. Results: The study results revealed that NIBP systolic and diastolic both correlated with DP and RP of pulse oximetry plethysmograph. Conclusion: Study concluded that pulse oximetry is a reliable tool in measuring blood pressure in neonates (appearance and disappearance of plethysmogram).