Screening with pulse oximetry for congenital heart disease

1report their experience with pulse oximetry as a complementary method for detection of congenital heart disease in asymptomatic newborn babies. The study was commissioned by the National Institute of Health Research to assess whether pulse oximetry ought to be incorporated into the routine care of newborn babies. To answer this question, the team constructed a screening protocol for measurement of upper and lower limb oxygen saturations, and repeated screens to reduce falsepositive rates. This study is one of the largest so far, with more than 20 000 babies. The investigators included newborn babies with antenatally detected congenital heart defects in this analysis. The reported sensitivity and specifi city of pulse oximetry in the population in the Midlands, UK, are reasonable and in keeping with the results of studies from Europe and North America. 2–4