A study on critical congenital heart defects in asymptomatic newborn babies

Abstract

About 1 in every 4 babies born with a heart defect has a critical congenital heart defect (critical CHD, 
also known as critical congenital heart disease). Critical congenital heart diseases consist of a subgroup 
of congenital heart diseases which needs surgery or catheter intervention in the neonatal period. In 
Asymptomatic new borns measurement of saturations using pulse oximeter on the Right hand and foot 
was carried out after 24hrs of birth. Saturations above 95% was regarded as having negative screen. 
Those with saturation below 90%were subjected to Echocardiography. Patients with saturations between 
90 and 95 % were subjected to a second pulse oximetry screen 6-12 hrs later. Screening was done after 
24 hrs of birth. 25% of neonates suffering from CCHD were males and 75% of neonates suffering