Pulse Oximetry and Congenital Heart Disease Screening: Results of the First Pilot Study in Morocco
Nadia El Idrissi Slitine1,2, Fatiha Bennaoui1,2, Craig A Sable3
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Mother and Child Hospital, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech 40000, Morocco; fatihabennaoui@yahoo.fr (F.B.); amalfadfad@gmail.com (A.F.); soufiane.lueur@gmail.com (S.M.); nadir.inajjarne.s@gmail.com (N.I.); fadl2020@hotmail.com (F.M.R.M.).
Insights
Pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in newborns effectively identifies cases. This pilot study in Morocco demonstrated a high detection rate, supporting its addition to routine newborn screening.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric cardiology
- Public health screening
Background:
- Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect.
- Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) poses significant diagnostic challenges in newborns.
- Pulse oximetry screening enhances CCHD detection beyond clinical assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of pulse oximetry screening for CCHD in Moroccan neonates.
- To assess the feasibility and accuracy of CCHD screening in a real-world clinical setting.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study was conducted at Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakesh, Morocco.
- Asymptomatic newborns were screened using pulse oximetry for pre- and post-ductal oxygen saturation.
- Screening data from March 2019 to January 2020 were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Screening was performed on 76.7% of eligible newborns (8013/10,451).
- The screening test had a 0.18% failure rate, identifying five CCHD cases, five false positives, and five non-critical CHD cases.
- One false negative case was diagnosed later at 2 months of age.
Conclusions:
- Pulse oximetry is a valuable tool for CCHD screening in newborns.
- The study supports integrating CCHD screening with pulse oximetry into routine newborn care in Morocco.
- Further implementation can improve early diagnosis and management of critical congenital heart disease.
Abstract:
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital malformation. Diagnosis of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD), the most severe type of congenital heart disease, in a newborn may be difficult. The addition of CCHD screening, using pulse oximetry, to clinical assessment significantly improves the rate of detection. We conducted a pilot study in Morocco on screening neonates for critical congenital heart disease. This study was conducted in the maternity ward of Mohammed VI University Hospital of Marrakesh, Morocco, and included asymptomatic newborns delivered between March 2019 and January 2020. The screening of CCHD was performed by pulse oximetry measuring the pre- and post-ductal saturation. Screening was performed on 8013/10,451 (76.7%) asymptomatic newborns. According to the algorithm, 7998 cases passed the screening test (99.82%), including one inconclusive test that was repeated an hour later and was normal. Fifteen newborns failed the screening test (0.18%): five CCHD, five false positives, and five CHD but non-critical. One false negative case was diagnosed at 2 months of age. Our results encourage us to strengthen screening for CCHD by adding pulse oximetry to the routine newborn screening panel.
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