Failure to diagnose congenital heart disease in infancy

An insight into Indonesia's progress for newborn screening program: What is currently going on

Objectives

In this literature review, we describe the progress of Indonesia's NBS program (which is heavily centered on CH screening), its current pilot projects, and what lies ahead for this program.

Setting

Since its conception began with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) screening, Indonesia has experienced plodding progress in NBS. There is a shortage of literature discussing the history, or the lack of, and journey of NBS in Indonesia.

Methods

We searched for literature in Pubmed and Google Scholar with keywords such as "Newborn Screening, "Neonatal Screening," "Indonesia," "Asia Pacific," "Congenital Hypothyroidism," "Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia,""Critical Congenital Heart Disease," "Hearing Loss," and "Inborn Error of Metabolism."

Results

The only mandatory and regulated NBS program in Indonesia is congenital hypothyroid (CH) screening, with some pilot projects being conducted on screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), critical congenital heart disease (CCHD), hearing loss, and to a lesser extent, inborn error of metabolisms (IEMs).

Conclusion

Despite the evidence and benefits, the government does not mandate or regulate newborn diseases such as CHD, CAH, hearing loss, and IEMs. The lack of regulation exists despite multiple pilot projects and studies showing a benefit in at least trying to screen newborns for those conditions.

Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Outcomes for Patients with Adult Congenital Heart Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The study of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) is a rapidly growing field; however, more research is needed on the disparities affecting outcomes. With advances in medicine, a high percentage of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are advancing to adulthood, leading to an increase in the number of ACHD. This creates a pressing need to evaluate the factors, specifically the social determinants of health (SDOH) contributing to the outcomes for ACHD.

RECENT FINDINGS

A myriad of factors, including, but not limited to, race, education, and socioeconomic status, have been shown to affect ACHD outcomes. Existing data from hospitalizations, mortality and morbidity, advanced care planning, patient and physician awareness, financial factors, and education alongside race and socioeconomic status present differences in ACHD outcomes. With SDOH having a significant impact on ACHD subspecialty care outcomes, ACHD centers need to be constantly adapting and innovating, incorporating SDOH into patient management, and providing additional healthcare resources to manage the care of ACHD.

Application of machine learning in screening for congenital heart diseases using fetal echocardiography

There is a growing body of literature supporting the utilization of machine learning (ML) to improve diagnosis and prognosis tools of cardiovascular disease. The current study was to investigate the impact that the ML framework may have on the sensitivity of predicting the presence or absence of congenital heart disease (CHD) using fetal echocardiography. A comprehensive fetal echocardiogram including 2D cardiac chamber quantification, valvar assessments, assessment of great vessel morphology, and Doppler-derived blood flow interrogation was recorded. The postnatal echocardiogram was used to ascertain the diagnosis of CHD. A random forest (RF) algorithm with a nested tenfold cross-validation was used to train models for assessing the presence of CHD. The study population was derived from a database of 3910 singleton fetuses with maternal age of 28.8 ± 5.2 years and gestational age at the time of fetal echocardiography of 22.0 weeks (IQR 21-24). The proportion of CHD was 14.1% for the studied cohort confirmed by post-natal echocardiograms. Our proposed RF-based framework provided a sensitivity of 0.85, a specificity of 0.88, a positive predictive value of 0.55 and a negative predictive value of 0.97 to detect the CHD with the mean of mean ROC curves of 0.94 and the mean of mean PR curves of 0.84. Additionally, six first features, including cardiac axis, peak velocity of blood flow across the pulmonic valve, cardiothoracic ratio, pulmonary valvar annulus diameter, right ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and aortic valvar annulus diameter, are essential features that play crucial roles in adding more predictive values to the model in detecting patients with CHD. ML using RF can provide increased sensitivity in prenatal CHD screening with very good performance. The incorporation of ML algorithms into fetal echocardiography may further standardize the assessment for CHD.

Outcome and Impact of Associated Left-Sided Cardiac Lesions in Coarctation of the Aorta Diagnosed During Fetal Life

Significant effort has been put into the optimization of the antenatal diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta (CoA). However, although left-sided cardiac lesions are known to cluster, the necessity to intervene postnatally for other left-sided cardiac lesions has not been reported in a cohort of fetuses with suspected CoA. We report a study of all 89 fetuses with antenatally suspected and postnatally confirmed diagnosis of CoA who underwent CoA repair as the primary procedure at a single tertiary congenital heart disease center over 10 years (January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019). Almost 1 in 5 patients (18%) had to undergo surgery and/or transcatheter intervention on additional left-sided cardiac lesions (14%) and/or reintervention on the aortic arch (12%) during follow-up to median age of 2.85 years. Freedom from intervention at 5 years was 78% (95% confidence interval [CI] 67 to 88%) if reintervention on CoA was excluded, and 72% (95% CI 60 to 82%) if this was included. Five-year survival was 95% (95% CI 90 to 100%). Furthermore, 20% of affected infants had genetic (10%) and/or extracardiac (16%) abnormalities. Our study highlights the need for comprehensive antenatal counseling, including the prognosis of primary repair of CoA and the potential development of additional left-sided cardiac lesions, which may be difficult to diagnose prenatally even in expert hands or impossible to diagnose because of the physiology of the fetal circulation.

Diagnostic value of pulse oximetry combined with cardiac auscultation in screening congenital heart disease in neonates

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and reliability of pulse oximetry combined with cardiac auscultation in screening neonatal congenital heart disease (CHD).

METHODS

This was a retrospective, observational, screening study. All newborns included in the study were at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from July 2019 to January 2020. Primary screening of CHD was conducted by pulse oximetry combined with cardiac auscultation assays. Indices, including sensitivity, specificity, the positive/negative predictive value, the positive/negative likelihood ratio, and the diagnostic odds ratio, were calculated. The area under the relative operating characteristic curve of the subjects was measured.

RESULTS

A total of 3327 neonates were enrolled, among whom 139 were diagnosed with CHD and the incidence of CHD was 4.2%. The sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and area under the relative operating characteristic curve of pulse oximetry combined with cardiac auscultation were 89.9%, 94.7%, 169.0, and 0.923, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulse oximetry combined with cardiac auscultation is a novel screening method with acceptable accuracy and feasibility for neonatal CHD. This combination method is worth promoting widely.

Discordant congenital heart defects in monochorionic twins: Risk factors and proposed pathophysiology

A six-fold increase in congenital heart defects (CHD) exists among monochorionic (MC) twins compared to singleton or dichorionic twin pregnancies. Though MC twins share an identical genotype, discordant phenotypes related to CHD and other malformations have been described, with reported rates of concordance for various congenital anomalies at less than 20%. Our objective was to characterize the frequency and spectrum of CHD in a contemporary cohort of MC twins, coupled with genetic and clinical variables to provide insight into risk factors and pathophysiology of discordant CHD in MC twins. Retrospective analysis of all twins receiving prenatal fetal echocardiography at a single institution from January 2010 –March 2020 (N = 163) yielded 23 MC twin pairs (46 neonates) with CHD (n = 5 concordant CHD, n = 18 discordant CHD). The most common lesions were septal defects (60% and 45.5% in concordant and discordant cohorts, respectively) and right heart lesions (40% and 18.2% in concordant and discordant cohorts, respectively). Diagnostic genetic testing was abnormal for 20% of the concordant and 5.6% of the discordant pairs, with no difference in rate of abnormal genetic results between the groups (p = 0.395). No significant association was found between clinical risk factors and development of discordant CHD (p>0.05). This data demonstrates the possibility of environmental and epigenetic influences versus genotypic factors in the development of discordant CHD in monochorionic twins.

Prenatal diagnosis of double-outlet right ventricle with tricuspid valve atresia, anomalous pulmonary vein connection, persistent left superior vena cava, and right atrial isomerism

Double-outlet right ventricle is a conotruncal cardiac disease in which both the aorta and the pulmonary artery predominantly or completely originate from the right ventricle. Here, we report a complex variant double-outlet right ventricle detected in utero and identified on the basis of a segmental approach.

Social determinants of health and outcomes for children and adults with congenital heart disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Social determinants of health (SDH) can substantially impact health outcomes. A systematic review, however, has never been conducted on associations of SDH with congenital heart disease (CHD) outcomes. The aim, therefore, was to conduct such a systematic review.

METHODS

Seven databases were searched through May 2020 to identify articles on SDH associations with CHD. SDH examined included poverty, uninsurance, housing instability, parental educational attainment, immigration status, food insecurity, and transportation barriers. Studies were independently selected and coded by two researchers based on the PICO statement.

RESULTS

The search generated 3992 citations; 88 were included in the final database. SDH were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of fetal CHD diagnosis, higher CHD incidence and prevalence, increased infant mortality, adverse post-surgical outcomes (including hospital readmission and death), decreased healthcare access (including missed appointments, no shows, and loss to follow-up), impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes (including IQ and school performance) and quality of life, and adverse outcomes for adults with CHD (including endocarditis, hospitalization, and death).

CONCLUSIONS

SDH are associated with a wide range of adverse outcomes for fetuses, children, and adults with CHD. SDH screening and referral to appropriate services has the potential to improve outcomes for CHD patients across the lifespan.

IMPACT

Social determinants of health (SDH) are associated with a wide range of adverse outcomes for fetuses, children, and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). This is the first systematic review (to our knowledge) on associations of SDH with congenital heart disease CHD outcomes. SDH screening and referral to appropriate services has the potential to improve outcomes for CHD patients across the lifespan.

Impact of maternal obesity on fetal cardiac screening: which follow-up strategy is cost-effective?

OBJECTIVE

To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of different follow-up strategies for non-obese and obese women who had incomplete fetal cardiac screening for major congenital heart disease (CHD).

METHODS

Three decision-analytic models, one each for non-obese, obese and Class-III-obese women, were developed to compare five follow-up strategies for initial suboptimal fetal cardiac screening. The five strategies were: (1) no follow-up ultrasound (US) examination but direct referral to fetal echocardiography (FE); (2) one follow-up US, then FE if fetal cardiac views were still suboptimal; (3) up to two follow-up US, then FE if fetal cardiac views were still suboptimal; (4) one follow-up US and no FE; and (5) up to two follow-up US and no FE. The models were designed to identify fetuses with major CHD in a theoretical cohort of 4 000 000 births in the USA. Outcomes related to neonatal mortality and neurodevelopmental disability were evaluated. A cost-effectiveness willingness-to-pay threshold was set at US$100 000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Base-case and sensitivity analysis and Monte-Carlo simulation were performed.

RESULTS

In our base-case models for all body mass index (BMI) groups, no follow-up US, but direct referral to FE led to the best outcomes, detecting 7%, 25% and 82% more fetuses with CHD in non-obese, obese and Class-III-obese women, respectively, compared with the baseline strategy of one follow-up US and no FE. However, no follow-up US, but direct referral to FE was above the US$100 000/QALY threshold and therefore not cost-effective. The cost-effective strategy for all BMI groups was one follow-up US and no FE. Both up to two follow-up US with no FE and up to two follow-up US with FE were dominated (being more costly and less effective), while one follow-up US with FE was over the cost-effectiveness threshold. One follow-up US and no FE was the optimal strategy in 97%, 93% and 86% of trials in Monte-Carlo simulation for non-obese, obese and Class-III-obese models, respectively.

CONCLUSION

For both non-obese and obese women with incomplete fetal cardiac screening, the optimal CHD follow-up screening strategy is no further US and immediate referral to FE; however, this strategy is not cost-effective. Considering costs, one follow-up US and no FE is the preferred strategy. For both obese and non-obese women, Monte-Carlo simulations showed clearly that one follow-up US and no FE was the optimal strategy. Both non-obese and obese women with initial incomplete cardiac screening examination should therefore be offered one follow-up US. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Measurement, consequences and determinants of time to diagnosis in children with new-onset heart failure: A population-based retrospective study (DIACARD study)

BACKGROUND

Time from first symptoms to diagnosis, called time to diagnosis, is related to prognosis in several diseases. The aim of this study was to assess time to diagnosis in children with new-onset heart failure (HF) and assess its consequences and determinants.

METHODS

A retrospective population-based observational study was conducted between 2007 and 2016 in a French tertiary care center. We included all children under 16 years old with no known heart disease, and HF confirmed by echocardiography. With logistic regression used for outcomes and a Cox proportional-hazards model for determinants, analyses were stratified by HF etiology: congenital heart diseases (CHD) and cardiomyopathies/myocarditis (CM).

RESULTS

A total of 117 children were included (median age [interquartile range (IQR)] 25 days (6-146), 50.4% were male, 60 had CHD and 57 had CM). Overall median (IQR) time to diagnosis was 3.3 days (1.0-21.2). The frequency of 1-year mortality was 17% and 1-year neuromotor sequel 18%. Death at 1 year was associated with low birth weight for all patients (adjusted odds ratio 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08-0.68) and time to diagnosis below the median with CM (0.09, 0.01-0.87) but not time to diagnosis above the median for all patients (0.59, 0.13-2.66). Short time to diagnosis was associated with clinical severity on the first day of symptoms for all patients (adjusted hazard ratio 3.39, 95% CI 2.01-5.72), and young age with CM (0.09, 0.02-0.41).

CONCLUSIONS

In children with new-onset HF presenting in our region, median time to diagnosis was short. Long time to diagnosis was not associated with poor outcome.

Diagnostic values of the femoral pulse palpation test

OBJECTIVES

To calculate diagnostic values of the femoral pulse palpation to detect coarctation of the aorta or other left-sided obstructive heart anomalies in newborn infants.

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Stockholm-Gotland County 2008-2012.

PATIENTS

All singleton live-born infants without chromosomal trisomies, at ≥35 gestational weeks, followed-up until 1-2 years of age.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Diagnostic values and ORs for the femoral pulse test and subsequent diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta or left-sided obstructive heart malformation.

RESULTS

Among the 118 592 included infants, 432 had weak or absent femoral pulses at the newborn examination. Seventy-eight infants were diagnosed with coarcation of the aorta and 48 with other left-sided obstructive heart malformations. The diagnostic values for the femoral pulse palpation test to detect coarctation of the aorta were: sensitivity: 19.2%, specificity: 99.6, positive predictive value: 3.5% and negative predictive value: 99.9%. For left-sided heart malformations: sensitivity: 8.3%, specificity: 99.6%, positive predictive value: 0.9% and negative predictive value: 100%. Sensitivity for coarctation of the aorta increased from 16.7% when examined at <12 hours of age to 30.0% at ≥96 hours of age.

CONCLUSIONS

The femoral pulse test to detect coarctation of the aorta and left-sided heart malformations has limited sensitivity, whereas specificity is high. As many infants with life-threatening cardiac malformations leave the maternity ward undiagnosed, further efforts are necessary to improve the diagnostic yield of the routine newborn examination.

Detection of fetal cardiac anomalies: cost-effectiveness of increased number of cardiac views

OBJECTIVE

To compare the recommended three-view fetal heart screening method to detect major congenital heart disease (CHD) with more elaborate screening strategies to determine the cost-effective strategy in unselected (low-risk) pregnancies.

METHODS

A decision-analytic model was designed to compare four screening strategies to identify fetuses with major CHD in a theoretical cohort of 4 000 000 births in the USA. The four strategies were: (1) three views: four-chamber view (4CV) and views of the left (LVOT) and right (RVOT) ventricular outflow tracts; (2) five views: 4CV, LVOT, RVOT and longitudinal views of the ductal arch and aortic arch; (3) five axial views: 4CV, LVOT, RVOT, three-vessel (3V) view and three-vessels-and-trachea view; and (4) six views: 4CV, LVOT, RVOT and 3V views and longitudinal views of the ductal arch and aortic arch. Outcomes related to neonatal mortality and neurodevelopmental disability were evaluated. The analysis was performed from a healthcare-system perspective, with a cost-effectiveness willingness-to-pay threshold set at $100 000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Baseline analysis, one-way sensitivity analysis and Monte-Carlo simulation were performed.

RESULTS

In our baseline model, screening with five axial views was the optimal strategy, detecting 3520 more CHDs, and resulting in 259 fewer children with neurodevelopmental disability, 40 fewer neonatal deaths and only slightly higher costs, compared with screening with the currently recommended three views. Screening with six views was more effective, but also cost considerably more, compared with screening with five axial views, and had an incremental cost of $490 023/QALY, which was over the willingness-to-pay threshold. The five-view strategy was dominated by the other three strategies, i.e. it was more costly and less effective in comparison. The data were robust when tested with Monte-Carlo and one-way sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSION

Although current guidelines recommend a minimum of three views for detecting CHD during the mid-trimester anatomy scan, screening with five axial views is a cost-effective strategy that may lead to improved outcome compared with three-view screening. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Why are congenital heart defects being missed?

OBJECTIVE

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are still missed frequently in prenatal screening programs, which can result in severe morbidity or even death. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of fetal heart images, obtained during the second-trimester standard anomaly scan (SAS) in cases of CHD, to explore factors associated with a missed prenatal diagnosis.

METHODS

In this case-control study, all cases of a fetus born with isolated severe CHD in the Northwestern region of The Netherlands, between 2015 and 2016, were extracted from the PRECOR registry. Severe CHD was defined as need for surgical repair in the first year postpartum. Each cardiac view (four-chamber view (4CV), three-vessel (3V) view and left and right ventricular outflow tract (LVOT, RVOT) views) obtained during the SAS was scored for technical correctness on a scale of 0 to 5 by two fetal echocardiography experts, blinded to the diagnosis of CHD and whether it was detected prenatally. Quality parameters of the cardiac examination were compared between cases in which CHD was detected and those in which it was missed on the SAS. Regression analysis was used to assess the association of sonographer experience and of screening-center experience with the cardiac examination quality score.

RESULTS

A total of 114 cases of isolated severe CHD at birth were analyzed, of which 58 (50.9%) were missed and 56 (49.1%) were detected on the SAS. The defects comprised transposition of the great arteries (17%), aortic coarctation (16%), tetralogy of Fallot (10%), atrioventricular septal defect (6%), aortic valve stenosis (5%), ventricular septal defect (18%) and other defects (28%). No differences were found in fetal position, obstetric history, maternal age or body mass index (BMI) or gestational age at examination between missed and detected cases. Ninety-two cases had available cardiac images from the SAS. Compared with the detected group, the missed group had significantly lower cardiac examination quality scores (adequate score (≥ 12) in 32% vs 64%; P = 0.002), rate of proper use of magnification (58% vs 84%; P = 0.01) and quality scores for each individual cardiac plane (4CV (2.7 vs 3.9; P < 0.001), 3V view (3.0 vs 3.8; P = 0.02), LVOT view (1.9 vs 3.3; P < 0.001) and RVOT view (1.9 vs 3.3; P < 0.001)). In 49% of missed cases, the lack of detection was due to poor adaptational skills resulting in inadequate images in which the CHD was not clearly visible; in 31%, the images showed an abnormality (mainly septal defects and aortic arch anomalies) which had not been recognized at the time of the scan; and, in 20%, the cardiac planes had been obtained properly but showed normal anatomy. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the volume of SAS performed per year by each sonographer was associated significantly with quality score of the cardiac examination.

CONCLUSIONS

A lack of adaptational skills when performing the SAS, as opposed to circumstantial factors such as BMI or fetal position, appears to play an important role in failure to detect CHD prenatally. The quality of the cardiac views was inadequate significantly more often in undetected compared with detected cases. Despite adequate quality of the images, CHD was not recognized in 31% of cases. A high volume of SAS performed by each sonographer in a large ultrasound center contributes significantly to prenatal detection. In 20% of undetected cases, CHD was not visible even though the quality of the images was good. © 2019 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Neonatal management of prenatally suspected coarctation of the aorta

OBJECTIVES

(a) To determine the false-positive rate among newborns with prenatally suspected coarctation of the aorta (CoA) within the UCLA Health system, (b) to compare patient and maternal interventions and outcomes between false-positive cases and normal controls, and (c) to determine the timing of clinical presentation of CoA.

METHODS

We performed a single-center, retrospective case control study of all fetuses with suspected isolated CoA who underwent both fetal echocardiographic evaluation and subsequent delivery at UCLA between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2018. Maternal and neonatal medical records were reviewed for demographic and clinical data, for cases of suspected CoA and for controls. A separate review of our institution's surgical database was performed to identify characteristics of all patients (neonatal and pediatric) with isolated CoA who underwent surgical repair during the same time period.

RESULTS

Among the 50 fetal cases of isolated suspected CoA who delivered at our institution, 47 patients (94%) were found to be normal (false positives). Compared with normal controls, patients with suspected CoA were more likely to have delayed maternal bonding, delayed feeding, admission to the intensive care unit, performance of neonatal echocardiograms, initiation of intravenous fluids and initiation of prostaglandin E1, and a longer length of hospital stay. Among the 38 patients undergoing CoA repair at our institution during the study period, four patients were prenatally diagnosed and no patient presented clinically with symptoms before 48 hours after delivery.

CONCLUSION

Compared with normal controls, patients with prenatally suspected coarctation are more likely to have delayed maternal bonding, delayed feeding, more frequent neonatal echocardiograms, and longer length of hospital stay. Further refinement of neonatal management may improve postnatal care.

Socio-economic inequalities in mortality in children with congenital heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The impact of socio-economic status (SES) on congenital heart disease (CHD)-related mortality in children is not well established.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to systematically review and appraise the existing evidence on the association between SES (including poverty, parental education, health insurance, and income) and mortality among children with CHD.

DATA SOURCES

Seven electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ProQuest Natural, and Biological Science Collections), reference lists, citations, and key journals were searched.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

We included articles reporting original research on the association between SES and mortality in children with CHD if they were full papers published in the English language and regardless of (a) timing of mortality; (b) individual or area-based measures of SES; (c) CHD subtype; (d) age at ascertainment; (e) study period examined. Screening for eligibility, data extraction, and quality appraisal were performed in duplicate.

SYNTHESIS

Meta-analyses were performed to estimate pooled ORs for in-hospital mortality according to health insurance status.

RESULTS

Of 1388 identified articles, 28 met the inclusion criteria. Increased area-based poverty was associated with increased odds/risk of postoperative (n = 1), neonatal (n = 1), post-discharge (n = 1), infant (n = 1), and long-term mortality (n = 2). Higher parental education was associated with decreased odds/risk of neonatal (n = 1) and infant mortality (n = 5), but not with long-term mortality (n = 1). A meta-analysis of four US articles showed increased unadjusted odds of in-hospital mortality in those with government/public versus private health insurance (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.24, 1.56). The association between area-based income and CHD-related mortality was conflicting, with three of eight articles reporting significant associations.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review provides evidence that children of lower SES are at increased risk of CHD-related mortality. As these children are over-represented in the CHD population, interventions targeting socio-economic inequalities could have a large impact on improving CHD survival.

Clinical Screening for Congenital Heart Disease in Newborns at a Tertiary Care Hospital of a Developing Country

Objective: To screen all newborns admitted to a tertiary care hospital to rule out congenital heart disease before discharge and to find out the utility of pulse oximetry to detect congenital heart disease.

Methodology: This prospective study was done at Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2014 to December 2014 in 1,650 newborns over a period of 12 months. Pulse oximetry and clinical examination were done. Persistent oxygen saturation less than 95% was considered as positive pulse oximetry. Newborns who had positive pulse oximetry or abnormal clinical examinations findings were subjected to echocardiography.

Results: Pulse oximetry was performed on 1,650 newborns, out of which 25 (1.5%) had congenital heart disease. Positive pulse oximetry cases were 16 (0.97%), out of which 10 had only positive pulse oximetry (negative clinical examination). Positive clinical examination cases were 45 (2.7%), out of which 39 cases had only positive clinical examinations (negative pulse oximetry). Six newborns had both positive pulse oximetry and positive clinical examination. Out of the 25 diagnosed cases of congenital heart disease, ventricular septal defect (VSD) was the most common congenital heart disease, followed by patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of pulse oximetry were 32%, 99.5%, 50%, and 98.9% respectively.

Conclusion: In the community setting of a developing country, a combination of pulse oximetry screening and clinical examination are better at detecting congenital heart defects than either test alone.

The implementation of a nationwide anomaly screening programme improves prenatal detection of major cardiac defects: an 11-year national population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether a nationwide prenatal anomaly screening programme improves detection rates of univentricular heart (UVH) and transposition of great arteries (TGA), and whether maternal risk factors for severe fetal heart disease affect prenatal detection.

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Nationwide data from Finnish registries 2004-14.

POPULATION

A total of 642 456 parturients and 3449 terminated pregnancies due to severe fetal anomaly.

METHODS

Prenatal detection rates were calculated in three time periods (prescreening, transition and screening phase). The effect of maternal risk factors (obesity, in vitro fertilisation, pregestational diabetes and smoking) was evaluated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Change in detection rates and impact of maternal risk factors on screening programme efficacy.

RESULTS

In total, 483 cases of UVH and 184 of TGA were detected. The prenatal detection rate of UVH increased from 50.4% to 82.8% and of TGA from 12.3% to 41.0% (P < 0.0001). Maternal risk factors did not affect prenatal detection rate, but detection rate differed substantially by region.

CONCLUSIONS

A nationwide screening programme improved overall UVH and TGA detection rates, but regional differences were observed. Obesity or other maternal risk factors did not affect the screening programme efficacy. The establishment of structured guidelines and recommendations is essential when implementing the screening programme. In addition, a prospective screening register is highly recommended to ensure high quality of screening.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Implementation of a nationwide prenatal anomaly screening improved detection rates of UVH and TGA.

Improving Prenatal Diagnosis of Coarctation of the Aorta

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association between fetal echocardiographic measurements and the need for intervention (primary coarctation repair, staged coarctation repair, or catheter intervention) in prenatally diagnosed coarctation of the aorta.

METHODS

A single-centre retrospective cohort study (2005-2015) of 107 fetuses diagnosed with suspected coarctation of the aorta in the setting of an apex-forming left ventricle and antegrade flow across the mitral and aortic valves.

RESULTS

Median gestational age at diagnosis was 32 weeks (interquartile range, 23-35 weeks). Fifty-six (52%) did not require any neonatal intervention, 51 patients (48%) underwent a biventricular repair. In univariable analysis, an increase in ascending aorta (AAo) peak Doppler flow velocity (odds ratio [OR], 1.40 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.91] per 20 cm/s; P = 0.03) was associated with intervention. No intervention was associated with larger isthmus size (OR, 0.23; P < 0.001), transverse arch diameter (OR, 0.23; P < 0.001), and aortic (OR, 0.72; P = 0.02), mitral (OR, 0.58; P = 0.001), and AAo (OR, 0.53; P < 0.001) z-scores. In multivariable analysis, higher peak AAo Doppler (OR, 2.51 [95% CI, 1.54-4.58] per 20 cm/s; P = 0.001) and younger gestational age at diagnosis (OR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.70-0.93] per week; P = 0.005) were associated with intervention, whereas a higher AAo z-score (OR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.43-0.94] per z; P = 0.029) and transverse arch dimension (OR, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.18-0.97]; P = 0.05) decreased the risk of intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

In prenatally suspected coarctation, the variables associated with intervention comprised smaller AAo and transverse arch size, earlier gestational age at diagnosis, and the additional finding of a higher peak AAo Doppler.

Is pulse oximetry helpful for the early detection of critical congenital heart disease at high altitude?

OBJECTIVE

To assess the pulse oximetry as a method for screening critical congenital heart disease (CHD) in newborns.

STUDY DESIGN

This is an observational, transversal, descriptive simple study. The pre-ductal and postductal saturation were taken in term newborns that fulfilled the criteria of inclusion and exclusion in the Hospital Gineco-Obstetrico Isidro Ayora (HGOIA) in Quito. These measurements were performed between the 24 and 48 h after birth. Those newborns that saturated less than 90% on initial pulse oxìmetry underwent 3 successive measurements at 1-h intervals. Those who saturate less than 90% after 3 measurements or have a difference higher than 3% in preductal saturation and postductal saturation (positive screening) underwent transthoracic echocardiography evaluate for CHD.

RESULTS

Pulse oximetry from 963 newborns was evaluated. In Quito, at an altitude of 2820 meters above sea level (9252 feet), the mean preductal saturation was 92.76% (SD ± 3) and the postductal saturation, 93.76% (SD ± 4.7). Pulse oximetry in 53 patients (5.5%) was classified as a positive screening. No critical congenital heart diseases were found. Atrial septal defect (ASD) was the most common finding in a 46.94% (n = 23), followed by the association of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and ASD with a 12.24% (n = 6).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of patients who underwent screening pulse oximetry, no critical congenital heart diseases (CHD) were observed. However, identifying those with oxygen saturation less than 90% after 3 successive measurements or a pre- and postductal oxygen difference of > 3% resulted in successful identification of ASD and PDA. It is necessary to implement new cutoff points in saturation values to identify critical cardiac anomalies in cities placed at a high altitude. The use of pulse oximetry should be recommended in all the newborns.

Screening practices and associated anomalies in infants with anorectal malformations: Results from the Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium

BACKGROUND

This study evaluates screening practices and the incidence of associated anomalies in infants with anorectal malformations (ARM).

METHODS

We performed a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study of children born between 2007 and 2011 who underwent surgery for ARM at 10 children's hospitals. ARM type was classified based on the location of the distal rectum, and all screening studies were reviewed.

RESULTS

Among 506 patients, the most common ARM subtypes were perineal fistula (40.7%), no fistula (11.5%), and vestibular fistula (10.1%). At least 1 screening test was performed in 96.6% of patients, and 11.3% of patients underwent all. The proportion of patients with ≥1 abnormal finding on any screening test varied by type of ARM (p<0.001). Screening rates varied from 15.2% for limb anomalies to 89.7% for renal anomalies. The most commonly identified anomalies by screening category were: spinal: tethered cord (20.6%); vertebral: sacral dysplasia/hemisacrum (17.8%); cardiac: patent foramen ovale (58.0%); renal: hydronephrosis (22.7%); limb: absent radius (7.9%).

CONCLUSION

Screening practices and the incidence of associated anomalies varied by type of ARM. The rate of identifying at least one associated anomaly was high across all ARM subtypes. Screening for associated anomalies should be considered standard of care for all ARM patients.

TYPE OF STUDY

Multi-institutional retrospective cohort study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Barriers to the Implementation of Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening: A Different Perspective

Pulse oximetry screening of the well newborn to assist in the diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is increasingly being adopted. There are advantages to diagnosing CCHD prior to collapse, particularly if this occurs outside of the hospital setting. The current recommended approach links pulse oximetry screening with the assessment for CCHD. An alternative approach is to document the oxygen saturation as part of a routine set of vital signs in each newborn infant prior to discharge, delinking the measurement of oxygen saturation from assessment for CCHD. This approach, the way that many hospitals which contribute to the Australian New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) have introduced screening, has the potential benefits of decreasing parental anxiety and expectation, not requiring specific consent, changing the interpretation of false positives and therefore the timing of the test, and removing the pressure to perform an immediate echocardiogram if the test is positive. There are advantages of introducing a formal screening program, including the attainment of adequate funding and a universal approach, but the barriers noted above need to be dealt with and the process of acceptance by a national body as a screening test can take many years.

Early Detection with Pulse Oximetry of Hypoxemic Neonatal Conditions. Development of the IX Clinical Consensus Statement of the Ibero-American Society of Neonatology (SIBEN)

This article reviews the development of the Ninth Clinical Consensus Statement by SIBEN (the Ibero-American of Neonatology) on "Early Detection with Pulse Oximetry (SpO₂) of Hypoxemic Neonatal Conditions". It describes the process of the consensus, and the conclusions and recommendations for screening newborns with pulse oximetry.

Critical congenital heart disease screening with a pulse oximetry in neonates

OBJECTIVE

To compare the results of pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in newborn infants performed at <24 h and >24 h following.

METHOD

Measurements were taken for each group at <24 h and >24 h following birth. Echocardiography was performed if the SpO2 readings remained abnormal results.

RESULTS

A total of 4518 newborns were included in this prospective descriptive study. Of these, 2484 (60.3%) were delivered vaginally and 1685 (39.7%) by cesarean section. Median time points of the screening were 25.4 (25.3-25.5) vs. 17.3 (12.2-22.4) hours after birth. In 4109 infants screened 24 h after birth, the mean pre- and postductal oxygen saturations (SpO2) were 96.5±1.99 and 97.7±1.98, while 127 infants screened within 24 h of mean preductal and postductal SpO2 were 91.33±2.64 and 94.0±4.44. No CCHD was detected during the study period. Pulse oximetry screening was false positive for CCHD in 9 of 4109 infants (0.02%); of these, six infants were referred to pediatric cardiology and three cases were diagnosed as other significant, non-cardiac pathology. There were two cases with AVSD (atrioventricular septal defect, three cases with ventricular septal defect (VSD), and one case with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

CONCLUSIONS

Saturation values are different between <24-h and >24-h neonates in pulse oximetry screening. The screening in this study identified infants with other important pathologies, this forms an added value as an assessment tool for newborn infants.

Pulse oximetry findings in newborns with antenatally diagnosed congenital heart disease

A retrospective review of admission preductal oxygen saturations of neonates with antenatally diagnosed critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) was performed to investigate the differences in newborn pulse oximetry (Pulsox) by specific CCHD diagnosis. Saturations were recorded at median of < 1 h (range < 1-9 h) after delivery. Data was stratified by CCHD diagnosis and analysed according to the three different admission Pulsox thresholds, ≤ 90, ≤ 92 and ≤ 95%. Of the 276 neonates studied, 208 were clinically well at admission, with no co-morbidities, gestation > 34 weeks and birth weight > 1.8 kg. A statistically significant increase in the proportion with low admission saturations was seen using ≤ 95% saturation threshold (72% (95% CI 66-78)) compared to ≤ 92% (52% (95% CI 46-59)) and ≤ 90% (46% (95% CI 39-52)). Sub-group analysis found the proportion of neonates with low saturations varied according to the specific CCHD diagnosis with only 20-42% of neonates with aortic stenosis, coarctation of the aorta and pulmonary stenosis having saturations ≤ 95%.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of neonates with low admission oxygen saturation varied by CCHD diagnosis with those without critically reduced pulmonary blood flow not having low admission saturations, in general, even using the ≤ 95% threshold which had the highest proportions of abnormal saturations. This data may assist developing Pulsox screening policies. What is Known: • The addition of pulse oximetry (Pulsox) screening to the routine newborn examination increases the sensitivity of CCHD detection. Pulsox screening is also highly specific for CCHD in asymptomatic neonates, with low false-positive rates. • Early diagnosis of CCHD improves patient outcomes in relation to both morbidity and mortality. What is New: • The proportion of affected infants with an abnormal Pulsox result varies by CCHD diagnosis and screening threshold. In our study using the ≤ 95% threshold gave the highest proportion of neonates with abnormal saturations at admission. • In general, Pulsox yield of abnormal results is low for CCHD diagnoses not associated with critically reduced pulmonary blood flow; however, increasing the Pulsox threshold increased the proportion of infants with an abnormal result.

Changes in the diagnosis of congenital cardiovascular malformations during the 1st year of life: impacts on epidemiological risk factor associations

Many epidemiological studies base their classification of congenital cardiovascular malformations in newborns upon a single, initial diagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of subsequent diagnostic investigations on the results of epidemiological studies. We used diagnostic codes from the Baltimore-Washington Infant Study from the time of birth and at ~1 year of age. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to identify associations between changes in diagnoses and infant characteristics, time period, that is, before and after introduction of color flow Doppler imaging, and diagnostic variables. Of the 3054 patients with data at both time points, 400 (13.1%) had diagnostic changes. For congenital cardiovascular malformations of early cardiogenesis, such as laterality and looping defects, conotruncal malformations, and atrioventricular septal defects, significant associations were observed between diagnostic change and case infants large for gestational age (odds ratio=0.22, p=0.01), diagnosed initially by echocardiography only (odds ratio=2.05, p=0.001), or with non-cardiac malformations (odds ratio=0.60, p=0.03). For all other congenital cardiovascular malformations, significant associations were observed with echocardiography-only diagnosis (odds ratio=1.43, p=0.04) and non-cardiac malformations (odds ratio=0.57, p<0.001). We found no statistically significant differences between risk factor odds ratios calculated using initial diagnoses versus those calculated using 1-year update diagnoses. Changes in congenital cardiovascular malformation diagnoses from birth to year 1 interval were significantly associated with infant characteristics and diagnostic modality but did not materially affect the outcome of risk factor associations.

Automated detection of coarctation of aorta in neonates from two-dimensional echocardiograms

Coarctation of aorta (CoA) is a critical congenital heart defect (CCHD) that requires accurate and immediate diagnosis and treatment. Current newborn screening methods to detect CoA lack both in sensitivity and specificity, and when suspected in a newborn, it must be confirmed using specialized imaging and expert diagnosis, both of which are usually unavailable at tertiary birthing centers. We explore the feasibility of applying machine learning methods to reliably determine the presence of this difficult-to-diagnose cardiac abnormality from ultrasound image data. We propose a framework that uses deep learning-based machine learning methods for fully automated detection of CoA from two-dimensional ultrasound clinical data acquired in the parasternal long axis view, the apical four chamber view, and the suprasternal notch view. On a validation set consisting of 26 CoA and 64 normal patients our algorithm achieved a total error rate of 12.9% (11.5% false-negative error and 13.6% false-positive error) when combining decisions of classifiers over three standard echocardiographic view planes. This compares favorably with published results that combine clinical assessments with pulse oximetry to detect CoA (71% sensitivity).

Modern Strategy for Identification of Congenital Heart Defects in the Neonatal Period

Introduction:

Congenital heart defects are the most common congenital anomalies and occur with an incidence from 0.8 to 1% per 1000 live births. In recent years, the pulse oximetry has become a strong candidate for detecting cyanogen congenital heart defects and in combination with routine clinical exam can improve diagnostic of congenital heart diseases.

Objective:

To apply the modern algorithm for early detection of congenital heart defects in order to improve the diagnosis in the neonatal period.

Patients and Methods:

This was a prospective study that included children born in Bihac Cantonal Hospital during 2012. The diagnostic algorithm included a clinical examination of the newborn, measuring of transcutaneous oxygen saturation with the pulse oximeter between 24 and 48 hours of life, and, in some cases, additional tests (cardiac ultrasound).

Results:

A total of 1,865 children were examined. The application of diagnostic protocol identified the existence of congenital heart defects in 29 children. In re-evaluating the auscultator and ultrasound findings, we identified congenital heart defects in 19 children.

Conclusion:

The application of the modern algorithm for early detection of congenital heart diseases in the neonatal period can significantly improve the making of diagnosis of these anomalies. The concept is simple, inexpensive and applicable in most maternity wards.

Universal Pulse Oximetry Screening for Early Detection of Critical Congenital Heart Disease

Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a major cause of infant death and morbidity worldwide. An early diagnosis and timely intervention can significantly reduce the likelihood of an adverse outcome. However, studies from the United States and other developed countries have shown that as many as 30%–50% of infants with CCHD are discharged after birth without being identified. This diagnostic gap is likely to be even higher in low-resource countries. Several large randomized trials have shown that the use of universal pulse-oximetry screening (POS) at the time of discharge from birth hospital can help in early diagnosis of these infants. The objective of this review is to share data to show that the use of POS for early detection of CCHD meets the criteria necessary for inclusion to the universal newborn screening panel and could be adopted worldwide.

Simplifying ultrasound assessment of the fetal heart: Incorporating the complete Three Vessel View into routine screening

Introduction: As our experience and ultrasound resolution have improved significantly in last 30 years it is possible to detect most of the major cardiac abnormalities prenatally with high degree of accuracy.

Method: Current screening techniques have poor detection rate for congenital heart diseases (CHD) and nearly half of the major cardiac abnormalities mainly of Great Arteries goes unrecognised. A high detection rate for major CHDs can be achieved in a screening setting by improving techniques of routine screening in the low risk population.

Conclusion: This article summarises the alternative strategies to examine the outflow tracts and Great Arteries, its correct interpretation and examples of abnormal views.

Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Diagnosis of Cor Triatriatum Sinistrum in Pediatric Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest in the adolescent population secondary to congenital heart disease (CHD) is rare. Focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) in the emergency department (ED) can yield important clinical information, aid in resuscitative efforts during cardiac arrest and is commonly integrated into the evaluation of patients with pulseless electrical activity (PEA). We report a case of pediatric cardiac arrest in which FoCUS was used to diagnose a critical CHD known as cor triatriatum sinistrum as the likely cause for PEA cardiac arrest and help direct ED resuscitation.

Pulse Oximetry Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Disease: Bringing Evidence Into Practice

Congenital heart disease is the most common and serious type of infant birth defect. Pulse oximetry screening has been supported in the literature as a valuable tool to aid in the prompt detection of critical defects. Pulse oximetry is easily accessible, inexpensive, and noninvasive, and can be readily performed by clinical nurses at the infant's bedside; however, it remains a technology that is underutilized in newborns. Nurses can be leaders in addressing the need to translate knowledge into practice to improve the morbidity and mortality rates in the newborn population.

Prenatal diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease reduces risk of death from cardiovascular compromise prior to planned neonatal cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine if prenatal diagnosis improves the chance that a newborn with critical congenital heart disease will survive to undergo planned cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A systematic review of the medical literature identified eight studies which met the following criteria: compared outcomes between newborns with prenatal and those with postnatal diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease; compared groups of patients with the same anatomical diagnosis; provided detailed information on cardiac anatomy; included detailed information on preoperative cause of death. A meta-analysis was performed to assess differences in preoperative mortality rates between newborns with prenatal diagnosis and those with postnatal diagnosis. Patients with established risk factors for increased mortality (high risk) and those whose families chose comfort care rather than cardiac surgery were excluded.

RESULTS

In patients with comparable anatomy, standard risk, a parental desire to treat and optimal care, newborns with a prenatal diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease were significantly less likely to die prior to planned cardiac surgery than were those with a comparable postnatal diagnosis (pooled odds ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08-0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

For newborns most likely to benefit from treatment for their critical congenital heart disease, because they did not have additional risk factors and their families pursued treatment, prenatal diagnosis reduced the risk of death prior to planned cardiac surgery relative to patients with a comparable postnatal diagnosis. Further study and efforts to improve prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease should therefore be considered.

Early screening for critical congenital heart defects in asymptomatic newborns in Bursa province

OBJECTIVE

In this study, pulse oximetry screening results in the early diagnosis of critical congenital heart diseases (CCHD) will be evaluated.

METHODS

Eight-thousand two-hundred and eight of 10,200 newborns born between January 2014 and December 2014 were screened using pulse oximetry for the diagnosis of CCHD. Screening test was considered to be positive in the newborns whose saturation after 24 h from the birth with pulse oximetry was ≤ 95% and/or in the newborns who had a difference of ≥ 3% between the lower and right upper extremity.

RESULTS

Incidence of CCHD was 1 per 1000 live births. Coarctation of the aorta was the most commonly determined CCHD. Sensitivity, specificity, false negative rate and false positive rate of pulse oximetry in the diagnosis of CCHD were 60%, 99.8%, 40% and 0.12%, respectively. Seventy-five percent of the newborns who had a false negative diagnosis with pulse oximetry had coarctation of the aorta. Coarctation of the aorta was determined at a rate of 20% using CCHD screening.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta is missed in the newborns screened with pulse oximetry in the first 24-48 h after birth. Screening with pulse oximetry should be repeated for early diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta.

Detection of critical congenital heart defects: Review of contributions from prenatal and newborn screening

In 2011, statewide newborn screening programs for critical congenital heart defects began in the United States, and subsequently screening has been implemented widely. In this review, we focus on data reports and collection efforts related to both prenatal diagnosis and newborn screening. Defect-specific, maternal, and geographic factors are associated with variations in prenatal detection, so newborn screening provides a population-wide safety net for early diagnosis. A new web-based repository is collecting information on newborn screening program policies, quality indicators related to screening programs, and specific case-level data on infants with these defects. Birth defects surveillance programs also collect data about critical congenital heart defects, particularly related to diagnostic timing, mortality, and services. Individuals from state programs, federal agencies, and national organizations will be interested in these data to further refine algorithms for screening in normal newborn nurseries, neonatal intensive care settings, and other special populations; and ultimately to evaluate the impact of screening on outcomes.

Moving towards universal prenatal detection of critical congenital heart disease in southern Nevada: a community-wide program

This study compares the current, prenatal detection rate for critical congenital heart disease in Southern Nevada with the previously reported rate, after developing and expanding a comprehensive, community-wide fetal cardiology program. For the current-period analysis, we inquired our database and electronic health records for patients born in Clark County, Nevada, with critical congenital heart disease between May 2012 and April 2014, and we compared the results with the previous period between May 2003 and April 2006. The major components of the community-wide program include fetal congenital heart disease screening via general obstetric ultrasound studies performed in obstetrician's offices, radiology imaging centers, or maternal-fetal medicine specialty practices; subsequent referral for comprehensive fetal echocardiography performed in maternal-fetal medicine offices under the on-site supervision by fetal cardiologists; and recurring community educational programs teaching the 5-axial plane, fetal echocardiographic screening protocol to general obstetric sonographers and instructing perinatal sonographers in advanced imaging topics. For the current period, the prenatal detection rate for critical congenital heart disease in Southern Nevada was 71 versus 36% for the previous period (p < 0.001). The temporal improvement in prenatal detection of critical congenital heart disease may be related to our expanded decentralized, community-wide fetal cardiology program, and our experiences may be applicable to other metropolitan areas.

The importance of heart murmur in the neonatal period and justification of echocardiographic review

Introduction:

Heart murmurs can be functional (innocent) and pathological (organic). Although it is not considered a major sign of heart disease, it may be a sign of a serious heart defect. In most cases the noise is initiation for cardiac treatment. Is it possible to differentiate on the basis of auscultation innocent from pathological heart murmur? In this article we present the results of ultrasonography of newborns with positive auscultation finding of the heart in the neonatal and early infancy period.

Goal:

To determine the role of murmurs in the heart detected by routine clinical examination in the neonatal period and early infancy, and to establish the legitimacy of cardiology consultation and ultrasound of the heart.

Methods:

A retrospective review of medical records in the period from January 1 to December 31, 2011 at the Maternity ward of Cantonal Hospital in Bihac 1899 children was born. In 32 neonates was registered a heart murmur, in the period from birth up to 6 weeks of life. All children with positive auscultation finding of the heart were examined echocardiography by ultrasound ALOCA 2000, multifrequency probe from 3.5 to 5 MHz, and used M-mode, 2-D, continuous, pulsed and color Doppler.

Results:

Of the 32 examined children regular echocardiographic findings had two children (6.25%), aberrant bunch of left ventricle 11 (34.37%), patent foramen ovale 5 (15.62%), atrial septal defect 3 children (9.37%), ventricular septal defect 8 children (25%), cyanogen anomaly 2 children (6.25%), stenosis of the pulmonary artery 1 child (3.12%). We see that 14 children (43.75%) had a structural abnormality of the heart that requires further treatment and monitoring.

Conclusion:

Echocardiography is necessary to set up or refute the diagnosis of structural heart defect in children with positive auscultation finding in the neonatal period.

Prenatal and newborn screening for critical congenital heart disease: findings from a nursery

BACKGROUND

Delayed diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in neonates increases morbidity and mortality. The use of pulse oximetry screening is recommended to increase detection of these conditions. The contribution of pulse oximetry in a tertiary-care birthing center may be different from at other sites.

METHODS

We analyzed CCHD pulse oximetry screening for newborns ≥ 35 weeks' gestation born at Brigham and Women's Hospital and cared for in the well-infant nursery during 2013. We identified patients with prenatal diagnosis of CCHD. We also identified infants born at other medical centers who were transferred to Boston Children's Hospital for CCHD and determined if the condition was diagnosed prenatally.

RESULTS

Of 6838 infants with complete pulse oximetry data, 6803 (99.5%) passed the first screening. One infant failed all 3 screenings and had the only echocardiogram prompted by screening that showed persistent pulmonary hypertension. There was 1 false-negative screening in an infant diagnosed with interrupted aortic arch. Of 112 infants born at Brigham and Women's Hospital with CCHD, 111 had a prenatal diagnosis, and none was initially diagnosed by pulse oximetry. Of 81 infants transferred to Boston Children's Hospital from other medical centers with CCHD, 35% were diagnosed prenatally.

CONCLUSIONS

In our tertiary-care setting, pulse oximetry did not detect an infant with CCHD because of effective prenatal echocardiography screening. Pulse oximetry will detect more infants in settings with a lower prenatal diagnosis rate. Improving training in complete fetal echocardiography scans should also improve timely diagnosis of CCHD.

Congenital heart disease in 37,294 births in Tunisia: birth prevalence and mortality rate

AIM

To investigate the previously unknown birth incidence, treatment, and mortality of children with congenital heart disease in Tunisia.

METHODS

We undertook a retrospective review of medical records of all patients who were born in 2010 and 2011, and were diagnosed in Sfax (Tunisia) with congenital heart defect.

RESULTS

Among 37,294 births, 255 children were detected to have congenital heart disease, yielding a birth incidence of 6.8 per 1000. The most frequently occurring conditions were ventricular septal defects (31%), ostium secundum atrial septal defects (12.9%), and pulmonary valve abnormalities (12%). Coarctation of the aorta, tetralogy of Fallot, univentricular physiology, pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect, and transposition of the great arteries were found in 4.3%, 6.2%, 3.4%, 2.7%, and 2.7%, respectively. During the follow-up of 1 year, 23% of the children died. About three-quarters of those deaths happened before surgery.

CONCLUSION

The present study is in line with the general estimates in the world. It has revealed a high case of mortality among the patients awaiting corrective surgery. These children need more facilities.

Late detection of critical congenital heart disease among US infants: estimation of the potential impact of proposed universal screening using pulse oximetry

IMPORTANCE

Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) was added to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel for Newborns in the United States in 2011. Many states have recently adopted or are considering requirements for universal CCHD screening through pulse oximetry in birth hospitals. Limited previous research is directly applicable to the question of how many US infants with CCHD might be identified through screening.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the proportion of US infants with late detection of CCHD (>3 days after birth) based on existing clinical practice and to investigate factors associated with late detection.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Descriptive and multivariable analysis. Data were obtained from a multisite population-based study of birth defects in the United States, the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS). We included all live-born infants with estimated dates of delivery from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2007, and nonsyndromic, clinically verified CCHD conditions potentially detectable through screening via pulse oximetry.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcome measure was the proportion of infants with late detection of CCHD through echocardiography or at autopsy under the assumption that universal screening at birth hospitals might reduce the number of such late diagnoses. Secondary outcome measures included prevalence ratios for associations between selected demographic and clinical factors and late detection of CCHD.

RESULTS

Of 3746 live-born infants with nonsyndromic CCHD, late detection occurred in 1106 (29.5% [95% CI, 28.1%-31.0%]), including 6 (0.2%) (0.1%-0.4%) first receiving a diagnosis at autopsy more than 3 days after birth. Late detection varied by CCHD type from 9 of 120 infants (7.5% [95% CI, 3.5%-13.8%]) with pulmonary atresia to 497 of 801 (62.0% [58.7%-65.4%]) with coarctation of the aorta. In multivariable analysis, late detection varied significantly by CCHD type and study site, and infants with extracardiac defects were significantly less likely to have late detection of CCHD (adjusted prevalence ratio, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.49-0.69]).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

We estimate that 29.5% of live-born infants with nonsyndromic CCHD in the NBDPS received a diagnosis more than 3 days after birth and therefore might have benefited from routine CCHD screening at birth hospitals. The number of infants in whom CCHD was detected through screening likely varies by several factors, including CCHD type. Additional population-based studies of screening in practice are needed.

Spectrum of heart disease in children under 5 years of age at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan

Objective & methodology

This was a descriptive cross sectional study of one year duration conducted in Pediatric department of Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad. The objective was to assess the clinical pattern, age distribution and type of heart diseases in children under 5 years of age. In this study 150 children with suspicion of cardiac problem were enrolled.

Result

Among 150 cardiac patients 55.3% were male and 44.7% were female. Congenital heart diseases (CHD) seen in 89.3% and 10.7% had acquired heart disease. Among CHD 74.6% were Acyanotic lesions while cyanotic lesions were seen in 23.9% and 1.5% were cases of dextrocardia. Ventricular septal defect was the commonest Acyanotic lesion (29.9%) followed by atrial septal defect (25.4%). Among cyanotic heart diseases tetralogy of Fallot was the commonest lesion seen in 11.2% followed by transposition of great arteries and complex heart defect 5.2% and 3% respectively. Among acquired heart disease myocarditis was the commonest disease accounts 94% and pericardial effusion was seen in 6%.

Conclusion

Regarding the type of congenital heart defect acyanotic defect was more common than cyanotic with ventricular septal defect commonest lesion. Tetralogy of Fallot's was commonest in cyanotic group. Availability of expertise locally will lead to more patients getting surgical treatment at an earlier age thereby reducing morbidity and mortality and improving quality of life for these children.

Improving diagnostic accuracy in the transport of infants with suspected duct-dependent congenital heart disease

AIM

To identify factors that distinguish duct-dependent congenital heart disease (DDCHD) from non-DDCHD in newborn infants.

METHOD

A retrospective, cohort study. The Newborn Emergency Transport Service, Victoria (NETS) is a retrieval service for all inter-hospital neonatal transfers, and the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne (RCH) is a paediatric cardiac referral centre for the state of Victoria, Australia. All infants ≤10 days and ≥34 weeks gestation with suspected CHD and/or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), transferred by NETS from non-tertiary neonatal units to RCH, over a 4-year period.

RESULTS

Of 142 eligible infants, 81 had DDCHD and 61 had non-DDCHD, of whom 51 had PPHN. Diagnostic accuracy of DDCHD by the NETS team was 77%. Presence of a heart murmur, abnormal pulses, upper and lower limb blood pressure (BP) difference >10 mmHg, cardiomegaly, initial SpO2 of <92%, PaO2 <50 mmHg, and pre-post ductal SpO2 difference >10% were significantly associated with DDHCD on univariate analysis. No single clinical finding was significantly associated with DDCHD on multivariate analysis. Labile SpO2 , abnormal lung parenchyma, mean BP <40 mmHg, pH <7.25, lactate >5 and FiO2 >0.5 were significantly associated with non-DDCHD, but at multivariate analysis only labile SpO2 and mean BP <40 mmHg were associated with non-DDCHD.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical diagnosis of DDCHD outside of a cardiac centre is challenging. No single factor predicts DDCHD. Combined interpretation of clinical, physiological and x-ray findings may assist.

A Simple Effective Protocol to Increase Prenatal Detection of Critical Congenital Heart Disease

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) during routine obstetric sonography has been aptly named the sonographer’s Achilles heel. Although CHD occurs more commonly than any other major congenital abnormality, the detection rate remains low. The goal of this study was to improve the prenatal diagnosis of CHD during routine obstetric sonography through the development and implementation of a simple and effective screening protocol.

Prenatal diagnosis, birth location, surgical center, and neonatal mortality in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

BACKGROUND

Most studies have not demonstrated improved survival after prenatal diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease, including hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). However, the effect of delivery near a cardiac surgical center (CSC), the recommended action after prenatal diagnosis, on HLHS mortality has been poorly investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using Texas Birth Defects Registry data, 1999 through 2007, which monitored >3.4 million births, we investigated the association between distance (calculated driving time) from birth center to CSC and neonatal mortality in 463 infants with HLHS. Infants with extracardiac birth defects or genetic disorders were excluded. The associations between prenatal diagnosis, CSC HLHS volume, and mortality were also examined. Neonatal mortality in infants born <10 minutes from a CSC was 21.0%, 10 to 90 minutes 25.2%, and >90 minutes 39.6% (P for trend <0.001). Prenatal diagnosis alone was not associated with improved survival (P=0.14). In multivariable analysis, birth >90 minutes from a CSC remained associated with increased mortality (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-3.45), compared with <10 minutes. In subanalysis, birth >90 minutes from a CSC was associated with higher pretransport mortality (odds ratio, 6.69; 95% confidence interval, 2.52-17.74) and birth 10 to 90 minutes with higher presurgical mortality (odds ratio, 4.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-17.00). Higher surgical mortality was associated with lower CSC HLHS volume (odds ratio per 10 patients, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Infants with HLHS born far from a CSC have increased neonatal mortality, and most of this mortality is presurgical. Efforts to improve prenatal diagnosis of HLHS and subsequent delivery near a large volume CSC may significantly improve neonatal HLHS survival.

Diagnosis and management of life-threatening cardiac malformations in the newborn

Approximately 1-2 per 1000 newborn babies have a cardiac defect that is potentially life-threatening usually because either the systemic or the pulmonary blood flow is dependent on a patent ductus arteriosus. A significant proportion of newborns with such cardiac defects are being discharged from well-baby nurseries without a diagnosis and therefore risk circulatory collapse and death. This risk is greatest for defects with duct-dependent systemic circulation, notably aortic arch obstruction, but is also significant in transposition of the great arteries, for example. The solution to this problem, apart from improving prenatal detection rates, is to introduce effective neonatal screening including routine pulse oximetry.