Parenting Starts At Conception: CHD Awareness To Help You Be An Advocate For Your Unborn Child

What is congenital heart disease (CHD)?

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect. Infants with CHD have abnormal structure to their heart which creates abnormal blood flow patterns. Approximately eight of every 1,000 infants born have a form of CHD. Some forms of CHD cause no or very few problems in the health, growth, and development of the baby. However, critical CHD can bring a significant risk of morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed soon after birth. Failing to detect critical CHD while in the newborn nursery may lead to critical events such as cardiogenic shock or death. Survivors who present late are at greater risk for neurologic injury and subsequent developmental delay.

What is pulse oximetry?

Pulse oximetry (ox-eh-mah-tree), or “pulse ox,” is a simple, non-invasive and painless test that is used to measure the percent oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the arterial blood and the pulse rate. Pulse ox was invented in the 1970’s and is now widely used and accepted in clinical care; it is often thought to be a basic vital sign.

How is pulse ox performed?

The pulse ox is placed by a sticky strip, like a band-aid™, with a small red light, or “probe,” on the baby’s foot. The probe is attached to a wire, which is attached to a special monitor that shows the pulse ox reading. The pulse ox test takes just a few minutes to perform when a baby is still, quiet, and warm. If a baby is crying, squirming, or cold it may take longer or not be possible. You can help comfort your baby and keep him or her warm, calm, and quiet while the test is being performed.

Why is pulse oximetry used to screen for CHD?

Pulse ox is used to measure how much oxygen is in the blood. Pulse ox is a routinely used test that can be used to monitor an baby’s oxygen level during a procedure or treatment. It can also be helpful in determining if an baby’s heart and lungs are healthy. Pulse ox can also help to identify babies with low levels of oxygen in their blood that may have serious heart problems. A doctor or nurse practitioner may ask for more testing such as an ultrasound of the heart, or echocardiogram (or “echo”) when a low pulse ox reading is identified. The echo will screen for a serious problem in the structure of the heart or the blood flow through the heart. Pulse ox can identify a baby with serious CHD before he or she leaves the newborn nursery.

Who should be screened?

All babies in the newborn nursery who are not already thought to have CHD should be screened.

When will the pulse ox test be performed?

The pulse ox test will be done after the baby is born when he or she is older than 24 hours. The pulse ox test will be done if the baby isn’t already thought to have a problem with the heart or lungs.

Can the pulse ox test hurt my child?

The pulse ox test is non-invasive and painless. It usually does not hurt the baby.

Where should pulse ox screening be performed?

Pulse ox screening should be performed while the infant is in the newborn nursery, before he or she goes home.

What is a normal reading?

A pulse ox reading of 95 to 100 percent is normal in healthy babies. Babies with heart or lung problems may have lower readings. A low pulse oximetry reading can be normal in newborns whose lungs and heart are adjusting after birth. If your baby has a problem with his or her heart or lungs, your doctor or nurse will tell you what constitutes a normal pulse ox range for your child. It is possible that your baby’s doctor will order additional tests.

Can a baby with serious CHD have a normal pulse ox reading?

It is possible that the pulse ox test will not detect all forms of problems in the baby’s heart. Your baby should continue to have normal visits with his or her primary care doctor. If a problem with the heart is suspected, your primary care doctor will advise you.

What if I have questions or do not want to have my baby screened for serious heart problems?

If you have questions about pulse ox or CHD, you should ask the doctor or nurse practitioner that is providing your prenatal care or the doctor or nurse caring for your baby after he or she is born. If you do not want your baby screened for serious heart problems you should tell your doctor or nurse when you are in the hospital to deliver your baby.

Source: Childrens National Medical Center, Washington DC

Sorry, comments are closed for this post.