What is Newborn Screening with Pulse Oximetry?
Pulse oximetry monitoring uses a light source and sensor to measure oxygen in the blood. A soft, wrapped sensor is wrapped around the baby’s foot. Light passing through the foot measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. The test is quick (3-5 minutes) and painless. Pulse oximetry monitoring should detect most heart defects. Why is it important to check babies for heart defects? If undetected, some congenital heart defects can cause serious or even life-threatening problems. Early detection and early treatment lead to better outcomes. Why check the blood oxygen level with pulse oximetry? A low oxygen saturation level may indicate the presence of a heart defect. What are the benefits of the screening? Babies are less likely to be sent home with unidentified heart problems – some of which can cause acute, emergency situations or even death. If identified in the first 24-48 hours of life, medical teams are available for diagnosis and treatment of CHDs. Critical congenital heart defects,
