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Content: Approximately eight of every 1,000 infants born in the United States each year have a form of CHD, some of which cause no or very few problems in the health and development of the child. But critical CHD can bring a significant risk of morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed soon after birth. Failing to detect critical CHD while in the newborn nursery may lead to critical events such as cardiogenic shock or death. Survivors who present late are at greater risk for neurologic injury and subsequent developmental delay. What is Pulse Oximetry and How is it Performed? Pulse oximetry is a simple, non-invasive and painless test that is used to measure the percentage of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the arterial blood and the pulse rate. It was invented in the 1970s and is widely used and accepted in clinical care. The pulse oximetry is placed by a sticky strip (like a band-aid), with a small red light, or “probe” on the baby's foot. The probe is attached to a wire, which is attached to a special monitor that shows the pulse oximetry reading. The test takes a few minutes to perform while the baby is still, quiet, and warm.