Overnight oximetry is a frequently requested test in respiratory paediatrics, most commonly used to assess the need for home oxygen or to investigate suspected obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Guidelines for home oxygen use in children have recently been published. The Royal College of Anaesthetists has also produced a consensus statement on adenotonsillectomy in sleep-related breathing disorders. However, no guidelines are available for the interpretation of oximetry recordings, therefore making it a potentially subjective test.Ramsey et al examined adult respiratory physicians' interpretations of oximetry tracing. They found that 41 clinicians provided 35 different opinions as to when nocturnal supplemental oxygen should be initiated. We aimed to discover whether there is similar inconsistency in paediatric practice.
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