Congenital heart defects could be spotted in newborn babies more easily and equitably by using a simple screening test, experts say.
In a new comment article published in the Lancet, perinatal experts describe the benefits and importance of universal screening for using pulse oximetry where a small device lightly attached to a finger measures blood oxygen levels.
This screening tool has previously shown to increase detection rates of critical congenital heart defects to over 90%, and has already been rolled out in most of Europe, USA and Canada. However, despite reviews and public consultations, pulse oximetry has yet to be formally rolled out across the UK and the authors note that on average around half of all critical congenital heart defects aren’t diagnosed at birth and up to 30% of babies are discharged home with a critical defect undiagnosed.
… universal screening using pulse oximetry would not only save babies lives …. it would also be a fairer and more equitable way to spot a range of conditions.
Emeritus Professor Andrew Ewer
Professor Andrew Ewer, Emeritus Professor of Neonatal Medicine at the University of Birmingham and corresponding author of the comment article said:
“There is compelling evidence that universal screening using pulse oximetry would not only save babies lives by potentially diagnosing congenital heart defects, it would also be a fairer and more equitable way to spot a range of conditions.
“Unfortunately there is no universal screening in the UK at the moment, trailing behind other countries such as the US and most of Europe, and while more than three quarters of maternity networks in the UK have adopted pulse oximetry it remains a postcode lottery for families about whether it’s used in their trust.”
The authors from the University of Birmingham, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are all members of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine’s workgroup for the development of a framework for practice for pulse oximetry testing.