Screening of Congenital Heart Disease in Newborns by Physical Examination and Pulse Oximetry in a Tertiary Care Center in Western Maharashtra

Objectives To detect Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) at an early stage and to find out its occurrence in asymptomatic healthy term newborns. To assess the role of pulse oximetry as a screening tool in CHD. Methods All apparently healthy newborns delivered in a period of 1 year in Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad were screened for the presence of CHD by physical examination and pulse oximetry recording in pre-ductal and post-ductal limbs on three occasions. Results Out of 2761 neonates screened, 23 were diagnosed to have CHDs, 14 were Acyanotic CHDs and 9 were Cyanotic CHDs. The occurrence of CHD was 8.3/1000 asymptomatic healthy term newborns. VSD was the most common defect followed by ASD, PDA, AV defect, TGA, Pulmonary Atresia, Pentalogy of Fallot and Severe TOF. The statistical parameters of Pulse oximetry were Sensitivity 88.89 %, Specificity 99.02 %, Positive predictive value 22.86 %, Negative predictive value 99.96 % and Diagnostic accuracy 98.99 %. Conclusion CHDs can be detected early in asymptomatic healthy term newborns with the help of screening by physical examination and pulse oximetry assessment. Pulse oximetry can be used as an accurate, reliable, cost- effective and easy to use screening tool for detection Cyanotic CHDs.