Screening of Newborn by Pulse Oximetry at Birth for the Critical Congenital Heart Disease

Background: Early diagnosis of congenital heart disease is important for a good clinical outcome. Unrecognized or delayed diagnosis of some severe congenital heart diseases can lead to cardiac failure, cardiovascular collapse, and even death. Pulse oximetry screening (POS) in newborns has been shown to enhance the detection of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). Clinical evaluation is likely to miss the diagnosis in first few hours of hospital stay after birth due to absence of signs and symptoms of CCHD. In the absence of clinical findings during early neonatal period, the best parameter that can be assessed, is the detection of hypoxemia by pulse oximetry screening. Aims and Objectives: Usefulness of pulse oximetry in newborn for early detection of Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD). Material and Methods: This Prospective Observational Study was conducted on 125 newborn babies in postnatal ward at tertiary care centre for a period of 2 years satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Evaluation was done between 24 to 48 hours of birth with pulse oximeter. Institutional ethics committee permission was taken prior to study. Results and Conclusion: Total 125 neonates were screened by pulse oximeter, 2 were detected to have positive screen for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) of which 1 had CCHD confirmed by echocardiography. Study revealed that Pulse Oximetry screening can be an important screening tool in routine neonatal care for early detection of CCHD.