Potentially life-saving heart defect screening for babies introduced at UHNM

A new potentially life-saving test to help identify heart problems in newborn babies has been introduced at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM).
 
All babies born at the Royal Stoke University Hospital are now being offered oxygen saturation screening which can identify critical congenital heart disease before they become unwell.
 
The quick and painless test, known as pulse oximetry screening, is also being rolled out across UHNM’s community midwifery teams for expectant mothers who choose to give birth at home.  
 
Dr Asha Shenvi, consultant neonatologist at UHNM said: “Pulse oximetry screening is a safe, non-invasive and simple test that is used to identify babies with life-threatening heart defects before they become seriously unwell.   
 
“Pulse oximetry screening also identifies babies with other potentially serious conditions, such as respiratory disorders and sepsis. Teams across UHNM’s maternity centre are now offering the routine screening to all newborn babies before they are 24 hours old. 
 
“We’re very excited that we’re now able to offer the screening test to our local population, as part of our commitment to enhancing patient care. By identifying potential concerns at such an early-stage, babies can get timely and effective medical interventions.” 
 
The test, which takes around five minutes, involves wrapping a soft sensor around the baby’s hand and foot.

Claire Pearce’s daughter Isla, who was born at the Royal Stoke on 5 March weighing 7lbs 3oz, was one of the first babies to be screened.
 
Claire, 37 from Goldenhill, said: “To have the testing in place is reassuring, because some of the things you hear about and read can be quite scary. The care at UHNM has been fantastic, thank you to all staff for their hard work.”
 
Donna Brayford, deputy director of midwifery at UHNM, said: “This is a fantastic example of our maternity teams, midwifery, neonatal, community and clinical education, coming together to implement something which will mean safer care for our patients and their families.  
 
Lizzie Gill, community midwife at UHNM, said: “We’re thrilled that families choosing to have a home birth are able have the same care and opportunities as those in hospital.”

Equipment for the screening was donated by Tiny Tickers, a national charity who work to improve the detection, care and treatment of babies with serious heart conditions.