Hypoxia and Medicine

Blood Oxygen Saturation level - what is the fatal and normal range?

Blood Oxygen Saturation level - what is the fatal and normal range? How long is a sub 85% level sustainable without more than a simple mask? This is about my son. He is on hospice care, and is terminal. He is 1 year old, 9 pounds 8 ounces. This is a good weight for him due to proportion. He has a disease called rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata. He almost passed in july and barely beat an rsv infection that weakened him significantly. He is on a nasal cannula @ 1l. His oxygen sat level is now in in the high 80s with the 1l nasal cannula delivery. It drops to low 80s or worse at times when he cries or strains, or even urinates. Before these recent episodes he was in the low 90s with no oxygen. We have also put him on a feeding pump, which works with ng tube, to spread out his feeds and avoid fluid shock to his sytem. We will no hospitalize him. He was on oxygen only supplemental until 4 days ago when he had some respiratory episodes and needed to go back on oxygen permanently. I'm trying to get a realistic picture from someone who is no bias.

Public Comments

1. I ussually like to keep the 02 sat level above 92%, maybe you should try nasal prongs and continous O2 regulation.
2. An SP02 of 90 and above is desireable with 94 and up optimal. Consistently below 85 is fatal but the exact fatal percentage can vary from patient to patient when other factors (primary pulmonary or cardiac disease) are taken into account. How many LPM delivery with no more than a simple face mask??? You haven't defined this parameter. Below 85% is hypoxia and without immediate supplemental 02 15 LPM a patient might survive less than 5 min. I don't know who this Cookie25 is but I've just looked at her answers to other questions and now I have doubts as to whether she is actually the nurse she claims to be.
3. Just some experience My first trip to hosp. my Dr wouldn't let me out with a SP02 of 88, SP02 of 88 is where medicare will pay for 02 My Ins paid with a SP02 of 90 Airlines want you to have a SP02 of 90 to fly w/o oxygen On albuterol, my SP02 was between 91 and 93, after albuterol, my SP02 is between 94 and 96 ( taken 2x weekly) My Dr who has never smoked has an SP02 of 97 I can't help with child, but these are some relative numbers that I have had a little experience. I am surprised the child doesn't have continuous flow around the clock.
4. My sympathy for your son's illness and your obvious heartbreak. Your question is a legitimate concern, but one best answered by your son's physician. My doctor and oxygen therapy technician suggest anything above 90 is acceptable. They also advise that the lower end is best determined by the patient. Anyone with respiratory problems-I have COPD-is the best judge of how low is too low. If I'm struggling to breathe, then I need to use my oxygen equipment and/or rescue breathers or get to the emergency room. Many doctors can't or don't diagnose respiratory problems. I went to several and got everything from a cold to flu to sinusitus to seasonal asthma or allergies. I wound up at the emergency room two days after being diagnosed with sinusitus. The doctors at no time used an oximeter to measure my oxygen levels when I went for help with my "breathing" problems. The pulmonologist was furious at my "then, but no longer" physician, and said it ought to be mandatory that oxygen levels testing are as common as test for heart rate, blood pressure, etc. on any doctor visit. My SO realized I wasn't breathing and rendered first aid. I was upset that he brought me back because for the first time in years I did not hurt with every breath I took. I just wanted to go back to sleep or whatever state I was in at the time. At the emergency room, my oxygen level was measured at 55%. For three days, they worked to get my O2 above 80%. My heart rate can run anywhere from 65 to 139. My doctor says, again, this is an individual issue. What is normal for others is not normal for me because of the respiratory medication which elevates my heart rate. The healthcare professionals also tell me dehydration can elevate the heart rate, and to be sure to drink plenty of water before exercising. My breathing is often exacerbated by changes in temperature (humidity and cold are treacherous for me and many with respiratory illnesses). His doctor and your personal observations about whether or not your son seems to be comfortable are the best sources for concerns in this case. God bless.
5. To be honest as a respiratory therapist in a hosptial who did cardiac surgery on patients as young as a week old... I have taken children off oxygen at a level of 78 percent with doctors orders. There are certain conditions with babies that the low saturation is not a for certain indicator of death. levels of o2 depend on age and health. normal should be 90-100 panic should be below 87 however certain conditions permit lower levels. Talk with the doctors or health care people I am soo sorry about your situation and you wil be in my prayers.