Title: Screening Newborns for Critical Congenital Heart Disease
Headings: Screening Newborns for Critical Congenital Heart Disease
Screening Newborns for Critical Congenital Heart Disease
Content: Without treatment, these babies are at risk for significant morbidity or mortality early in life as a result of closure of the ductus arteriosus or other physiologic changes. Screening for CCHDs is conducted with a pulse oximeter to measure the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood that is saturated with oxygen, with probes placed on the infant's right hand and either foot. An algorithm, either the algorithm recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics or a similar one approved by the state or hospital, is then used to determine whether the infant passes, fails, or needs repeat pulse oximetry screening. Screening is performed when the infant is at least 24 hours of age, or as late as possible if the baby is to be discharged from the hospital before he or she is 24 hours of age. Pulse oximetry screening is most likely to detect 7 of the types of CCHDs. These 7 main screening targets are: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome; Pulmonary atresia (with intact septum); Tetralogy of Fallot; Total anomalous pulmonary venous return;