To study the role of pulse oximetry in the assessment of acute asthma in children presenting to the A&E department, 360 children who presented themselves to the A&E department were enrolled into the study. Those admitted were found to have a lower mean Sa02 of 92% compared to those discharged with Sa02 of 94% (p < 0.001). After the initial treatment at the A&E, those admitted still have a lower mean Sa02 of 94% compared to those discharged with a mean Sa02 of 96% (p < 0.001). However taking Sa02 of 92% as a predictor of admission hada sensitivity of 39% and a specificity of 80% but it had a high negative predictive value of 92%. Hence pulse oximetry alone is not sensitive for predicting admission in acute asthma in children.