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: As of 2018, policies for screening newborns have been implemented in all states in the U.S.
Fetal ultrasounds of the heart do not detect all types of heart defects. While many problems in the fetal heart are now found early by fetal ultrasounds―and families are getting referred earlier to pediatric cardiologists for further care, there are still cases of CHD that can be missed. Many newborns develop signs and symptoms of CCHD such as turning very blue or breathing fast right after birth. Those babies are diagnosed and treated before being discharged from the hospital. However, there are babies with certain types of CCHD who may look and act healthy for several days before becoming suddenly seriously ill at home. 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.