Title: State Legislation, Regulations, and Hospital Guidelines for Newborn Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Defects — United States, 2011–2014
Headings: State Legislation, Regulations, and Hospital Guidelines for Newborn Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Defects — United States, 2011–2014
State Legislation, Regulations, and Hospital Guidelines for Newborn Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Defects — United States, 2011–2014
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Summary

Content: Newborn screening for CCHD uses pulse oximetry, a noninvasive technology to measure blood oxygen saturation. Low oxygen saturation indicates hypoxemia, an early clinical sign of CCHD. Additional testing (e.g., repeat screening, echocardiogram) is needed following an abnormal pulse oximetry screen ( 1) to determine whether CCHD are present (or to determine the cause of the abnormal result). Thus, unlike most newborn screening conditions, screening for CCHD is not based on performing a blood test. In addition, hypoxemia detected by screening could indicate a medical problem, and requires immediate follow-up before discharge from the hospital. When accompanied by early identification and treatment, newborn screening provides an opportunity to reduce infant morbidity and mortality ( 2, 3 ). The Secretary's Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children has provided national guidelines and recommendations on newborn screening, known as the RUSP, and this panel is reviewed and endorsed by the HHS Secretary ( 3 ). As of March 2015, 32 conditions were included in the RUSP. States use the RUSP as guidance when considering adopting conditions for their own screening panels ( 3 ). State decisions might differ depending on method of screening required or the legislative authority of the newborn screening program.