Newborn pulse oximetry screening

Healthy babies may have a low oxygen reading. Babies with low oxygen levels in their blood may have CCHD. Other conditions like breathing problems or infections may also cause a low blood oxygen level. The doctor will check the baby carefully. An ultrasound of the heart (also called “echocardiogram” and “heart echo”) may be done to look for CCHD. The heart echo may need to be done in a different hospital or doctor’s office. It is read by a children’s heart doctor (pediatric cardiologist). If the heart echo shows problems, then a baby’s medical team will discuss next steps with parents. Pulse oximetry is used to screen babies for CCHD. Pulse oximetry is fast, easy and does not hurt. A small sensor is placed on a baby’s right hand and one foot to measure the oxygen level in the blood. Your baby’s doctor or nurse will discuss low pulse oximetry readings with you. Screening for CCHD is done for well newborns sometime during the first 32 hours after birth. Screening is done while a baby is warm and quiet. If a baby is crying, moving, fussing or cold, then screening will take longer. It may need to be repeated. Most babies are born with healthy hearts, and have enough oxygen in their blood. A few are born with CCHD. Although babies are checked very carefully by a doctor after they are born, some babies with CCHD may not have symptoms until later. Screening can help find babies with CCHD before they go home from the hospital.