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Can Brain Damage Occur In Infant When Sat-O2 Levels Dip To Mid 80s?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015
Question: Can a 1 week old infant suffer brain damage from oxygen levels dipping into the middle 80's?
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Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No brain damage should happen at those levels.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand that you must be worried about your child.

I am not sure what you mean by oxygen level, whether the O2 pressure (PaO2) or the hemoglobin oxygen saturation Sat O2.

Anyway neither of them should cause any damage.

If you meant PaO2 then it's actually normal, values over 80 mmHg are normal.

If you meant Sat O2, it is below the norm which is 95%, but it's still pretty far from the values which are related with brain damage and if mid 80s is as low as it went you shouldn't be concerned at all, it won't have any lasting effect on your child's brain.

I hope to have alleviated your concern and I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (4 minutes later)
My child did suffer from a mild brain injury stemminb from lack of oxygen, i did see on her records that she had frequent dips into the 80's for oxygen levels. She was never placed on oxygen. Im trying to see if there is a link
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not related.

Detailed Answer:
So since she was diagnosed with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy you are wondering whether the fact those levels of oxygen caused her mild brain injury.
I don't think that was the cause, not at those levels. I am seeing from your past questions that she has had an episode when she stopped breathing. That is the likely cause of the ischemic injury due to total lack of oxygenation during that episode, levels in the mid 80s are certainly not responsible.
Anyway if it is a case of mild injury she should be able to make a normal recovery and develop normally as is suggested by the fact that you mention she has reached her normal milestones.

I hope to have been of help.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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Can Brain Damage Occur In Infant When Sat-O2 Levels Dip To Mid 80s?

Brief Answer: No brain damage should happen at those levels. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand that you must be worried about your child. I am not sure what you mean by oxygen level, whether the O2 pressure (PaO2) or the hemoglobin oxygen saturation Sat O2. Anyway neither of them should cause any damage. If you meant PaO2 then it's actually normal, values over 80 mmHg are normal. If you meant Sat O2, it is below the norm which is 95%, but it's still pretty far from the values which are related with brain damage and if mid 80s is as low as it went you shouldn't be concerned at all, it won't have any lasting effect on your child's brain. I hope to have alleviated your concern and I remain at your disposal for further questions.