A pilot implementation study to detect neonatal critical congenital heart disease using pulse oximetry screening in Accra, Ghana.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the leading congenital cause of death in newborns worldwide. Approximately one-quarter of CHDs are considered critical, requiring intervention during the first year of life to enable survival. While pulse oximetry screening (POS) for critical CHD (CCHD) is now standard in high-income countries, its use in low-resource settings remains limited.

Methods

This prospective cohort study aimed to: (1) assess the feasibility of implementing routine POS and (2) estimate the incidence of CCHDs in two large tertiary hospitals in Accra, Ghana with high delivery volumes. Eligible participants included all live-born infants less than 48 hours old who were not receiving supplemental oxygen at the time of enrolment. Newborns underwent POS, and th

SUBMITTER: Yao NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12853520 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature