Title: Newborn Screening for CCHD
Headings: ​​​Program to Enhance the Health & Development of Infants and Children (PEHDIC)​
​​​Program to Enhance the Health & Development of Infants and Children (PEHDIC)​
Newborn Screening: Critical Congenital Heart Defects
Answ​ers and Resources for Primary Care Pediatricians
Frequently Asked Questions
Topic 1: Rationale for CCHD Screening​
​​Topic 2: Implementation of CCHD​
​​​Topic 3: CCHD Screening Data Collection and Management​​​
​Topic 4: Screening in Special Settings​​​
​Ask a CCHD Implementation question​
Resources
State Implementation
References
Related AAP Policy Statements

Content: There are some very uncommon reasons that CCHD screening might not be done (eg, babies who have an echocardiogram prior to discharge to home from the nursery or babies who have such serious medical conditions that no intervention would be done if CCHD were identified). Some parents might also refuse CCHD screening. In that case, parents should be educated about the benefits of screening and, if they still refuse, the refusal should be documented in the medical record. To avoid missing screening opportunities, plan to screen all newborns. Also, be aware of any state-specific rules, which may require that all newborns be screened.​
Who should do the screening? CCHD screening should be conducted by individuals who have pulse-oximetry testing within their scope of practice, who are trained in the use of pulse oximetry and the CCHD algorithm, and who regularly use pulse oximetry for other purposes. Ultimately, the health care provider of record for each newborn is responsible for assuring that screening was appropriately completed.​​​​
What pulse-oximetry equipment should I use? Many pulse oximeters are currently available, and most hospitals have pulse oximeters already available. Only hospital-grade pulse oximeters designed for use in neon