Oxygen management among infants in neonatal units in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional survey

• DOI: 10.1038/s41372-021-01040-7
• Publication Date: 2021-03-26T14:02:48Z
• Authors: Scott K. Herrod; Alex Stevenson; Yvonne E. Vaucher; Scott R. Lambert; Sherwin J. Isenberg; Vivien L. Yap; V. Chinyere Ezeaka; Waldemar A. Carlo
• Keywords: Oxygen Saturation; Cross-sectional study; Supplemental oxygen; Neonatology; Oxygen therapy

To provide more comprehensive data on the management of oxygen supplementation in neonates in sub-Saharan Africa.An online survey on the management of oxygen supplementation for infants in neonatal units was sent to 278 healthcare personnel in sub-Saharan Africa.One hundred and nine responses from 82 neonatal care units in 54% (26/48) sub-Saharan African countries were received. All units had the capacity to provide oxygen supplementation. However, only 50% (38/76) had access to blend oxygen with medical air and 1% (1/75) had the capacity to blend oxygen/air for every infant. Although 96% (72/75) of units could monitor oxygen saturation, monitoring was mostly intermittent and only 32% (24/75) were able to monitor oxygen saturation in every infant receiving oxygen supplementation.Findings indicate that oxygen supplementation is inadequately managed in neonatal units in sub-Saharan Africa, which may put infants at risk of developing severe ROP.