Oxygen therapy and oximetry in the delivery room

SummaryPulse oximetry is increasingly being used in the delivery room. Expert recommendations state that oxygen therapy during newborn resuscitation should be guided by pulse oximetry. Obtaining accurate and stable oxygen saturation and heart rate information from a pulse oximeter in the delivery room can be challenging. Understanding the properties of this device is important in overcoming these challenges. This article describes several aspects of pulse oximetry use in the delivery room ranging from technical issues with the device itself to clinical applications of the technology.