Mowbray Maternity Hospital (MMH) celebrated World Heart Day last Thursday, September 29, by checking for congenital heart defects (CHD) in newborns by using a pulse oximetry screening test.
Mowbray Maternity paediatric cardiologist Dr Anika van Niekerk says a heart defect is where the heart chambers or vessels have not developed and grown as they should have.
The hospital uses a pulse oximeter devise to do the pulse oximetry screening test. Dr Van Niekerk says this test entails placing a little sensor around the baby’s right hand and one foot and waiting for a steady pulse wave to read the oxygen saturation level.
“The pulse oximetry screening is a quick and simple test measuring the oxygen level in baby’s bloodstream, that can pick up most (75%) critical heart defects as well as other hidden illnesses, such as early infection or pneumonia.”
Dr Van Niekerk says the rationale of this test is that many critical heart defects and early infections may not yet show signs in the first few days of life. “A slightly low bloodstream oxygen level, not visible, may be the only clue that something is wrong. Early pick up and early appropriate management can be lifesaving.”
She says that if at any stage the baby looks unwell, or the oxygen level is less than 90%, the baby will be started on oxygen. “The baby is transferred to the appropriate referral centre where a doctor will examine baby and decide if further tests or a ‘heart scan’ is needed.”
Dr Van Niekerk says although this pulse oximetry screening test will pick up most serious heart defects, it is only a screening test and cannot pick up all problems.
She advises that moms or caregivers attend routine baby check ups at the local clinic two days after discharge and ideally one the following week. “These visits are very important and will pick up most baby illnesses. Remember to also take your baby for all their immunisations,” she says.
