[Experiences with the hyperoxia test in neonates and infants with congenital heart malformations (author's transl)]

Hyperoxia test with arterialized capillary blood was performed in 63 neonates and infants suffering from congenital heart defect with shunt. The lowest values were found in neonates with transposition of the great arteries without major systemic-pulmonary shunt. In cases with left to right shunt requiring surgical intervention the pO2 increased less than in those not needing operation. Observations with this non-invasive mentod proved valuable in early recogniton of congenital heart defect of neonates and infants requiring urgent surgical treatment.