PP26 LUNG STATUS AMONG PREMATURE BABIES AT THE TIME OF DISCHARGE BASED ON OXIMETRY

Hwee Nee Chin, Xiao Shuang Chua, Yee Yen Tan

Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang, Selangor, Malaysia

Introduction
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common complication of prematurity. BPD manifests clinically with hypoxia to a varying degree depending on the disease severity. Prior to discharge, premature babies undergo oximetry recording to ascertain the degree of hypoxia, as a reflection of the status of their lung function.   

Objective
To describe the oximetry parameters of premature babies ≤32w gestation at the time of discharge.  

Methodology: Retrospective review of clinical record of premature babies of gestation ≤32 weeks and underwent oximetry at discharge from 1/7/2024 to 30/6/2025.    

Results
There were 60 patients, median gestation 28w (range 25-32) and median birthweight 972g (range 540-1800). By 36w CGA, 22 patients (36.7%) were on ambient air, 27 patients (45%) still required nasal cannula oxygen and 11 patients (18.3%) required invasive or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation.  The median discharge age was D102 of life (range 31-202), at a median CGA of 42w (range 36-76). By the time of discharge, 57 patients (95%) were on ambient air and was subjected to a 12-hour oximetry test. On the oximetry, the median mean Sp02 was 97.3% (range 94.2-99.3), which was within acceptable target. On percentage of recording time with Sp02<90%, the median was 1.8% (range 0.2-8.6), with 5 patients failing to achieve the target of less than 5% and were restarted back on respiratory support. Overall, of 60 patients, 8 patients (13%) were not able to wean off respiratory support by the time of discharge, while 52 patients (87%) passed the clinical and oximetry threshold to be allowed discharge on ambient air.

Conclusion
The majority of premature babies ≤32w gestation have good oximetry parameters by the time of discharge.