Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN)

Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) describes a wide range of heart defects that can lead to serious illness and even death in the first days of life. Newborns in Utah undergo Pulse Oximetry (CCHD) Screening regardless of whether baby is born in a hospital, birthing center, or at home. Pulse oximetry screening is done to identify and treat babies with serious heart problems that are not found during prenatal care or routine newborn care.

Pulse oximetry is a painless and non-invasive way to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood. A small sensor is placed on baby’s right hand and either foot and light is passed through the skin to determine the percent of oxygen saturation. CCHD screening should take place between 24-48 hours of age.

Most babies will pass this screening the first time, but a small number of babies will need to have pulse oximetry repeated. Babies with abnormally low oxygen levels in their blood will need further testing for critical congenital heart disease. It is important to understand that pulse oximetry screening will not identify all babies who have problems with their hearts, as some babies may have normal oxygen levels at the time of the screen.

More information about critical congenital heart disease
http://health.utah.gov/cchd/families/