PATTERN OF OXYGEN SATURATION, HEART RATE AND RESPIRATORY RATE IN HEALTHY TERM NEONATES IN KHARTOUM STATE

Background and Objectives: Vital signs include: heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure, pain assessment, level of consciousness and recently oxygen saturation and can be an indicator of wellbeing of an individual. The main objective of this research was to establish longitudinal normative limits of oxygen saturation, heart rate and respiratory rate for healthy term neonates in Sudan.

Methods: This was a descriptive, cross sectional study that was conducted in Omdurman maternity hospital during the period January to June 2014. 500 neonates were included in the study. O2 saturation and heart rate were taken by using pulse oximeter, respiratory rate was measured by counting up to one minute. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire containing maternal and neonatal data. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.

Results: The main results showed that males were 48% and females were 52%. 38% of the neonates had respiratory rate between 40-45 cycles per minute, 24% between 46-50 cycles per minute, 9% between 51-55 cycles per minute and 28% had respiratory rate between 56-6o cycles per minute. Records of heart rate in neonates showed that 24% had heart rate of 100-115 beat per minute, 19% between 121 -125 beat per minute, 28% between 126 - 135 beat per minute, 11% between 136 -145 beat per minute, 8% between 146 - 160 beat per minute. The O2 saturation records were within the published normal ranges and most neonates reported O2 saturation between 96-99%.

Conclusion: The present study succeeded to establish longitudinal normative limits of oxygen saturation, heart rate and respiratory rate for healthy term neonates in Sudan.