Normal Oxygen Saturation Levels in Children

An oxygen saturation level reflects the amount of oxygen-rich blood passing through the bloodstream. Defined by the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Hawaii, a normal oxygen level for children is when at least 97 percent of the bloodstream is saturated.

Oxygen Saturation

• Oxygen saturation is the measurement of the amount of oxygen in a person̵7;s blood. Oxygen saturation levels are important in establishing the amount of oxygen passing through a person̵7;s lungs into oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Oxygen saturation levels are checked to see how well a child̵7;s heart and lungs are functioning.

Normal Oxygen Saturation Levels

• According to the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Hawaii, a normal oxygen saturation level for children is defined as between 98 and 100 percent, with a saturation level of 97 percent considered borderline normal. Anything 96 percent or below is considered abnormal.

Measuring Oxygen Saturation Levels

• Measuring your child̵7;s oxygen saturation levels is safe and pain free. A small plastic probe or sensor, with a wire attached to it, is placed on your child̵7;s finger or toe. This probe has a red light on one side and a detector on the other side. This light shines through the blood veins of your child̵7;s finger or toe and is analyzed by the detector on the other side, which measures the amount of oxygen in your child̵7;s blood.

Causes for Abnormal Oxygen Saturation Levels

• According to the Mayo Clinic, causes of low blood-oxygen levels include pneumonia, anemia, sleep apnea and other respiratory distresses.

Treatment for Abnormal Oxygen Saturation Levels

• Children experiencing abnormally low oxygen levels will be administered oxygen through a face mask or through nasal tubes.