Most infants with BPD are able to maintain adequate blood oxygen saturations without supplemental oxygen by about one year of age. Oxygen Saturation Monitors Oxygen is carried in the blood attached to a protein called hemoglobin . The percentage of the hemoglobin which is carrying oxygen is known as the oxygen saturation . Blood oxygen saturation can be measured with a machine called a pulse oximeter . Your medical gas company may come out to measure the oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter in your home.
Some families can borrow an oximeter, or rent one.
The more oxygen the blood is carrying, the redder it is, which changes the colour of the light produced by the oximeter. If the circulation to the limb is decreased - for example, if you're holding the limb too tight or if the limb is cold, the machine won't be able to pick up an accurate pulse. Most pulse oximeters also display your baby's pulse. Fluid accumulation in the lungs occurs in many babies with BPD, particularly if they are receiving alot of fluids to help them grow. Fluid can accumulate in the walls of the airsacs as well as in the walls of the bronchial tubes .