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: Sometimes there can be false positives, meaning that while the pulse ox screen suggests a problem, the echo will be reassuring that the heart is normal. Just because a baby fails the pulse oximetry screening test does not mean that the baby has a heart defect. There are other reasons that a baby may have lower oxygen levels, such as infection or lung problems. These are also very helpful to be picked up early. As well, some healthy babies can have a low pulse oximetry reading while their heart and lungs are adjusting after birth. If a baby passes the pulse oximetry screening, does it mean he or she has no heart defects? Unfortunately, no. Pulse oximetry testing picks up only some types of CHD. Heart defects which are not causing a low blood oxygen level at the time of the screen are not picked up by the test. Even if a baby passes the pulse oximetry screening, parents should watch: