Pulse oximetry screening to detect critical congenital heart diseases in asymptomatic neonates

Enhancing Neonatal Care: The Vital Role of Pulse Oximetry in the Early Screening of Critical Congenital Heart Diseases and Respiratory Diseases in Rural Areas

Background Pulse oximetry screening (POS) is acknowledged globally as a noninvasive method to detect critical congenital heart diseases (CCHDs) and respiratory illnesses. However, its value for early diagnosis and treatment remains unrecognized in many hospitals with limited resources around the world. This study aimed to evaluate POS's application in CCHDs, persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) for early diagnosis and its influence on clinical procedures in rural areas. Methods This prospective observational study included all eligible newborn infants in the regional neonatal unit of a community healthcare center. Their peripheral oxygen saturation was assessed at <24 hours and >24 hours after birth, in the right upper limb and either lower limb. An oxygen saturation of <95% or >3% difference between pre-ductal and post-ductal circulations was considered abnormal. All neonates with abnormal oxygen saturations at >24 hours after birth were subjected to another POS test within two hours of the last test. If the oxygen saturation was still abnormal, it was considered a positive POS test. The POS results were classified as oxygen saturation abnormal (<90%), abnormal (90-94%), and normal (≥95%). All neonates with a positive POS test were referred for echocardiography. Results Overall, 440 infants had documented POS results. A total of 65 (14.77%) infants had a positive POS test result, out of which 39 (8.86%) cases were diagnosed on further evaluation. Four neonates had CCHD (positive predictive value (PPV) = 6.15%), 26 had RDS (PPV = 40%), and nine had PPHN (PPV = 13.85%). Without any further delay, the doctor directed them all to a more advanced facility. Conclusion Our research showed that, in large-scale clinical settings, the addition of pulse oximetry to routine cardiac auscultation could be a reliable and feasible method to screen newborns for CCHD, PPHN, and RDS early on. Our research underscores the importance of implementing routine POS to detect CCHD, RDS, and PPHN in clinical practice.

Feasibility of screening for critical congenital heart disease using pulse oximetry in Indonesia

BACKGROUND

Screening of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) using pulse oximetry is a routine procedure in many countries, but not in Indonesia. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of implementing CCHD screening with pulse oximetry for newborns in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at four hospitals in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Newborns aged 24-48 hours who met the inclusion criteria were screened on the right hand and left or right foot using a pulse oximeter. Positive results were indicated by: either (1) SpO2 level < 90% in one extremity, (2) SpO2 level of 90-94% in both right hand and either foot on three measurements conducted 1 hour apart, or (3) a saturation difference > 3% between the upper and lower extremity on three measurements conducted 1 hour apart. Positive findings were confirmed by echocardiography.

RESULTS

Of 1452 newborns eligible for screening, 10 had positive results and were referred for echocardiographic evaluation. Of those, 8 (6 per 1000 live birth, 8/1452) had CCHD. Barriers found during screening processes were associated with hospital procedures, equipment, healthcare personnel, and condition of the newborn.

CONCLUSION

Pulse oximetry screening might be feasible to be implemented within the routine newborn care setting for CCHD in Indonesia. In order to successfully implement pulse oximetry screening to identify CCHD in Indonesia, the barriers will need to be addressed.

Early stage nonclinical pulmonary disorder in COVID-19 may present asymptomatic and fuel the contagion

Evidence shows that pulmonary problems in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may set off from vascular injury that progresses to physiological disturbances through a compromised gas exchange, following an infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In this process, inefficient gas exchange in the alveolar could precipitate silent nonclinical hypoxemia. Unfortunately, patients with "silent hypoxemia" do not necessarily experience any breathing difficulty (dyspnea) at the early stage of COVID-19 while the disease progresses. As a result, several asymptomatic, presymptomatic and patients with mild symptoms may escape quarantine measure and thus continue to spread the virus through contacts. Therefore, early diagnosis of "silent hypoxemia", which attracts no clinical warnings, could be an important diagnostic measure to prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome from the risk of pulmonary failure among the presymptomatic and as a screening tool in the asymptomatic who are hitherto potential spreaders of the virus.