Retrospective Study Assessing the Relationship between APGAR Score and Pulse Oximetry

Dr. Prahlad Kadambi; Dr. S Chithra; Dr. Bandla Sindhu; Dr. Mubeena PM

Volume : VIII, Issue : XI, November - 2019

Retrospective Study Assessing the Relationship between APGAR Score and Pulse Oximetry

Dr. Prahlad Kadambi, Dr. S Chithra, Dr. Bandla Sindhu, Dr. Mubeena Pm

Abstract :

Introduction – APGAR Score (AS) is widely used in assessment of newborn which comprises of 5 components – heart rate, respiratory efforts, muscle tone, reflex irritability and colour with a maximum possible score of 10 and a minimum score of 0. AS is a standardized, validated tool used for neonatal assessment at 1 minute and 5 minutes of life to record the fetal to neonatal transition. The skin colour component of AS is regarded to be indicative of oxygen saturation at birth but is graded subjectively. Pulse oximetry is a non–invasive objective method of assessing arterial oxygen saturation with the added advantage of provision of continuous monitoring. Objective – This study aims to study the relationship between APGAR Score and pulse oximetry in term neonates. Methodology – Our retrospective study included 105 term neonates born through cesarean–section at Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Kanchipuram between August 2018 and August 2019. Pre–term; neonates born to eclamptic, pre–eclamptic, diabetic, hypothyroid, Rh–incompatible mothers, perinatal fetal distress and respiratory distress were excluded from the study. The data collected included birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score at 1 minute, Apgar score at 5 minutes, Heart rate, respiratory rate and four limb pulse oximetry recordings. Data was tabulated and analysed using SPSS v16. Results – The mean gestational age of the study population was 268.05±6.25 days and mean birth weight was 2.997±0.36 kgs. The mean AS at 1 minute was 7.71±0.65. The mean AS at 5 minutes was 8.85±0.54. A statistically significant positive association was noted between 1 minute AS and mean pre–ductal oxygen saturation (r= 0.58, p<0.00001) and 1 minute AS and mean post–ductal oxygen saturation (r= 0.59 p<0.00001). Statistically significant positive associations were noted between 5 minute AS and mean pre–ductal oxygen saturation (r=0.54 p<0.00001) and 5 minute AS and mean post–ductal oxygen saturation (r=0.58 p<0.00001). However, there was no association between AS and Heart rate as well as AS and respiratory rate. Conclusion – Our study has shown a significant association between APGAR score and pulse oximetry in term neonates.