Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of infant mortality,
accounting for more deaths than any other type of malformation.1
The incidence of CHD varies between 4-10/1000 live births in India.2
About 1 in every 4 babies born with a heart defect has a critical congenital
heart defect (critical CHD, also known as critical congenital heart disease).
This study was designed to screen for CCHD using pulse oximeter in the
asymptomatic newborns admitted in the post natal ward and Correlate results
with ECHO finding in pulse oximetry positive cases.
METHODS
In Asymptomatic new borns measurement of oxygen saturations using pulse
oximeter on the Right hand and foot was carried out after 24hrs of birth . Saturations
above 95% was regarded as having negative screen .Those with saturation below
90% were subjected to Echocardiography. Patients with saturations between 90 and
95 % were subjected to a second pulse oximetry screen 6-12 hrs later. Screening was
done after 24 hrs of birth. Detailed clinical examination was done in all newborns
after pulse oximetry. Any positive findings in CVS was noted. Those Newborns who
have negative screen, were asked to report if any symptoms develop.
RESULTS
Out of total 400 neonates were screened and 7 cases of hypoxemia were
identified.They were subjected to ECHO and4 had diagnosed to have critical
xi
congenital heart disease (TGA,TAPVC,DORV) and two cases had ASD and one was
normal.Negative screen did not report back with any symptoms.
The incidence of CCHD in the present study was found to be 1%.
The predictive value of a positive test of Pulse oximetry was found to be 57.1% in our
study.
CONCLUSIONS
Pulse Oximetry is a cheap and simple test to screen for CCHD before they become
symptomatic.
