Title: Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening to Detect Critical Congenital Heart Disease - HealthyChildren.org
Headings: Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening to Detect Critical Congenital Heart Disease
Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening to Detect Critical Congenital Heart Disease
What is pulse oximetry?
Fetal ultrasounds of the heart do not detect all types of heart defects.
How is this screening is done?
What happens a baby fails the pulse oximetry screening?
If a baby passes the pulse oximetry screening, does it mean he or she has no heart defects?
Even if a baby passes the pulse oximetry screening, parents should watch:
Additional Information & Resources:

Content: How is this screening is done? A small soft sensor is wrapped around the baby's right hand and one foot. The sensor is hooked up to a monitor for about 5 minutes and measures the oxygen level in the blood and the heart rate. It is fast, easy, and does not hurt. Pulse oximetry screening is done after 24 hours after birth to allow the baby's heart and lungs to fully adjust to life outside his or her mother. After the screening is completed, the doctor or nurse will go over the reading with the baby's parents. What happens a baby fails the pulse oximetry screening? If the screening test suggests a problem, additional testing to evaluate for CHD or for other potential causes of low oxygen will be necessary before the baby will be discharged from the hospital. Testing may include a chest radiography and bloodwork. A thorough ultrasound of the baby's heart called an echocardiogram will be performed and read by a pediatric cardiologist.