Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of birth defect–associated neonatal death; approximately 6:1,000 newborns have moderate-to-severe CHD.¹ Previously, screening relied on prenatal ultrasounds and newborn examinations which had fairly low detection rates; up to 23% of newborns with severe CHD were discharged undiagnosed, of whom 2% died.² This study sought to investigate the benefit of addition of pulse oximetry screening.

Prospective study in 6 maternity units in the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2009.