About Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD)

Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) screening has been recommended nationally by the Secretary for Health and Human Services and pulse oximetry screening for CCHD is endorsed by the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Cardiology. Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect and may be detected during either the prenatal or postnatal period. Failing to detect CCHD while in the nursery may lead to serious events such as cardiogenic shock or death. Survivors who present late are at greater risk for neurologic injury and subsequent developmental delay. Early detection of CCHD can potentially improve the prognosis and decrease the mortality and morbidity rate of affected infants. Pulse oximetry has been investigated and proven to be successful in detecting some forms of CCHD in the newborn nursery.