Abstract

Background: Cardiac malformations represent the most prevalent congenital anomalies. Pulse oximetry emerges as a valuable asset for the prompt identification of Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) in regions lacking comprehensive cardiology infrastructure, particularly rural areas. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of pulse oximetry, in conjunction with clinical parameters, for detecting CHD in newborns, with echocardiography serving as the reference modality. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out at an Indian tertiary care center. The study encompassed 731 newborns born after 35 weeks of gestation, who underwent pulse oximetry and physical examination within 0-48 hours post-birth. Pulse oximetry assessment was performed on the left foot of each newborn for a minimum of 2 minutes, using BPL portable monitor. Statistical analysis was executed utilizing SPSS software, with a significance threshold set at p<0.05. Results: Among the participants, 57 newborns exhibited SPO2 levels <95%, with 11 presenting cyanosis. Conversely, among the 678 infants with SPO2>95%, no cases of cyanosis were observed. A significant discrepancy in cyanosis prevalence was evident between the two groups. Furthermore, 7.02% of subjects with SPO2<95% manifested a murmur, while murmurs were absent in those with SPO2>95%, indicating a significant difference in murmur occurrence between the groups.

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