Beyond Race: Objectively Assessed Skin Color and Its Association With Pulse Oximeter Bias in Critically Ill Infants

The study investigators will conduct a prospective observational study involving 200 infants (0-3 months age) and compare simultaneously obtained pulse oximeter readings (SpO2) and co-oximeter measured blood gas arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), among infants identified as Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White. The investigators will also obtain an objective assessment of skin pigmentation using a non-invasive device, SkinColorCatch® (by Delfin Technologies Ltd, Finland) that provides (1) a melanin index and (2) an objective six-point categorization of skin color based on Individual Typology Angle (ITA). Therefore, the investigators will measure the pulse oximeter bias (SpO2-SaO2) across infants identified as Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White, as well as among infants of various skin pigmentation. For infants that have an arterial line for more than one week, the researchers will measure pulse oximeter bias (SpO2-SaO2) on a weekly basis over time with skin maturation and pigmentation changes.