Expand baby heart tests, say experts

The pulse oximetry test measures blood oxygen levels in newborns by means of a small skin sensor placed on the hands or feet.

A major British study, published in the medical jounal The Lancet, shows it can identify babies with congenital heart defects which would otherwise be missed by doctors.

Many of these infants would under normal circumstances go on to develop serious complications or die.

Identifying the problems early on allows doctors to correct or reduce them with surgery, where possible, or plan medication treatments.

Heart defects present from birth are one of the leading causes of infant death in the developed world and affect one in 145 newborn babies in the UK.

‘Test is advantageous’

Describing the test, lead investigator Dr Andrew Ewer, from the University of Birmingham, said: “It’s usually performed within 24 hours of birth and is simple, painless and non-invasive.

“A small probe is put on the baby’s hand and then on the foot, the machine is switched on and you obtain a reading. That’s it. It takes longer to undress the baby than it does to do the test.”

He added: “This study has shown conclusively that this test is advantageous. We would like to see all babies being routinely tested. In this way the test will pick up additional babies who might otherwise have become very ill or even died.

“I think we now have enough evidence to say that pulse oximetry screening should be incorporated into everyday clinical practice.”

The test also flagged up other non-heart related problems such as respiratory disorders and infections.