Cost-effectiveness analysis of pulse oximetry as a screening test for critical congenital heart defects in Mexico

Objective. To carry out a cost-effectiveness analysis of pulse oximetry as a newborn screening test for critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) in Mexico. Materials and methods. Economic evaluation study was conducted from the perspective of the health care provider. A decision tree model was used to compare between physical examination alone and pulse oximetry screening (POS) as an additional test to physical examination. Results. For every 10 000 newborns, the alternative with POS detected an additional 32 cases of CCHD, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of USD 1 219, and at a willingness-to-pay threshold of USD 25 000 for each early detection, the probability of cost-effectiveness is more than 90%. Conclusion. The cost-effectiveness of POS, as a newborn screening for CCHD,is higher in Mexico than in high-income countries,and represents a cost-effective investment to gain years of life in the child population of Mexico.