Oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry may be affected due to the different wavelength of phototherapy light. This study aimed to determine the effect of phototherapy on oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry. Oxygen saturation and pulse values were recorded in newborns receiving phototherapy, both with and without an opaque wrap around the pulse oximeter sensor. The percentage of desaturation events was higher without the opaque wrap compared to with the opaque wrap (4.17 vs 3.06; p=0.025). This suggests that the frequency of false desaturation alarms may increase if the sensor is kept uncovered. Similarly; the percentage of time measured as spO2 > 94% was lower without the opaque wrap compared to with the opaque wrap (62 vs 75; p=0.019). This suggests that hyperoxia states can be bypassed if the sensor is kept uncovered. It is recommended to shield the pulse oximetry sensors with an opaque band during phototherapy to avoid false alarms.

Keywords: fototerapi, nabız oksimetre, oksijen satürasyonu, yenidoğan, hiperbilirubinemi