Comparison of two automated oxygen controllers in oxygen targeting in preterm infants during admission: an observational study

ObjectiveTo compare the effect of two different automated oxygen control devices on time preterm infants spent in different oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) ranges during their entire stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). DesignRetrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data. SettingTertiary level neonatal unit in the Netherlands. PatientsPreterm infants (OxyGenie 75 infants, CLiO2 111 infants) born at 24-29 weeks' gestation receiving at least 72 hours of respiratory support between October 2015 and November 2020. InterventionsInspired oxygen concentration was titrated by the OxyGenie controller (SLE6000 ventilator) between February 2019 and November 2020 and the CLiO2 controller (AVEA ventilator) between October 2015 and December 2018 as standard of care. Main outcome measuresTime spent within SpO(2) target range (TR, 91-95% for either epoch) and other SpO(2) ranges. ResultsTime spent within the SpO(2) TR when receiving supplemental oxygen was higher during OxyGenie control (median 71.5 [IQR 64.6-77.0]% vs 51.3 [47.3-58.5]%, p<0.001). Infants under OxyGenie control spent less time in hypoxic and hyperoxic ranges (SpO(2)<80%: 0.7 [0.4-1.4]% vs 1.2 [0.7-2.3]%, p98%: 1.0 [0.5-2.4]% vs 4.0 [2.0-7.9]%, p<0.001). Both groups received a similar FiO(2) (29.5 [28.0-33.2]% vs 29.6 [27.7-32.1]%, p=not significant). ConclusionsOxygen saturation targeting was significantly different in the OxyGenie epoch in preterm infants, with less time in hypoxic and hyperoxic SpO(2) ranges during their stay in the NICU.

Automated summary

The effect of two different automated oxygen control devices on the time preterm infants spent in different ranges of oxygen saturation was compared in this study. The results showed that infants under OxyGenie control spent more time within the target range of oxygen saturation and less time in hypoxic and hyperoxic ranges.