The Dual Role of Neonatal Pulse Oximetry Screening and Fetal Echocardiography in Congenital Heart Disease Detection Around the World

Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect worldwide. Perinatal detection, either in utero or prior to hospital discharge is important for planning delivery, ordering adjunct testing, and planning for surgical or medical care. In countries with access to ultrasound screening, prenatal detection is highly accurate though with variable sensitivity and specificity around the world. Pulse oximetry screening, in some cases coupled with murmur auscultation in the nursery can also reach very high degrees of sensitivity for critical congenital heart disease. Use of the modalities per guidelines and recommendations is an important aspect of decreasing infant mortality and morbidity worldwide.