A routine screening test for all newborn babies could save the lives of some born with congenital heart defects, say researchers. A number of babies' heart defects are spotted during a mid-pregnancy ultrasound scan and others may be picked up in the routine physical examination after delivery.
But sometimes the problem is not spotted until the baby becomes ill at home. Congenital heart defects are one of the main causes of of baby deaths in the developed world. A study published in the Lancet says lives could be saved if all newborn babies were given a cheap and simple test to establish the oxygen levels in their blood.
Small studies of the pulse oximetry test – in which sensors are placed on a hand and foot – have proved inconclusive, so the National Institute for Health Research funded the study by Andrew Ewer and colleagues from Birmingham University and Birmingham Women's hospital to determine whether it would be useful for the NHS. Their study in six maternity centres in the UK involved 20,000 babies between February 2008 and January 2009.
Dr Aris Papageorghiou tells us about the foetal echo scan currently offered to parents with unborn babies at possible risk of heart defects.
Currently in the UK there seems to be a postcode lottery which affects prenatal testing. Will some expectant parents are offered certain scans as standard, others have to argue to get them. Do you think that antenatal care in the UK should be standardised? Join our discussion and tell us what you think...
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