Experts Find New Method to Screen for Heart Defects at Birth
By: Joey Hollingsworth
Updated: August 18, 2011
Experts have found a new way to screen for heart defects at birth, that if left untreated could cause death shortly after newborns leave the hospital.
Researchers studied 20,000 seemingly healthy newborn babies over a one-year period.
All the newborns were given a pulse oximetry test -- a non-invasive measurement of blood oxygen levels.
They found, when combined with standard tests, doctors were able to detect 92 percent of congenital heart defects.
They say this test should become a part of routine newborn care.
To see more, watch the embedded video.
Researchers studied 20,000 seemingly healthy newborn babies over a one-year period.
All the newborns were given a pulse oximetry test -- a non-invasive measurement of blood oxygen levels.
They found, when combined with standard tests, doctors were able to detect 92 percent of congenital heart defects.
They say this test should become a part of routine newborn care.
To see more, watch the embedded video.
