Abstract
Objective This study aimed to compare oximetry data (pre- and postductal oxygen saturation
[SpO2], pre- and postductal pulsatility index [PI]) in healthy newborns (≥35 weeks' gestational
age) to infants who have critical congenital heart disease (CCHD).
Study Design This is a retrospective analysis of data obtained from electronic medical records,
recorded as part of routine pulse oximetry screening (POS) for CCHD in infants born
between the years 2013 and 2020. Testing was performed at 24 ± 2 hours of life. Data
were analyzed to detect differences in pre- and postductal SpO2 and pre- and postductal PI in healthy newborns compared with infants who have CCHD.
Newborns were excluded from analysis if they: (1) had a prenatal diagnosis of CCHD
in the medical record, (2) had previously been admitted to the neonatal intensive
care unit, or (3) had failed POS but were found no CCHD by diagnostic echocardiography.
Results A total of 88,754 healthy newborns had received POS between the years 2013 and 2020.
Of the 88,736 newborn records available for analysis,18 newborns were diagnosed with
CCHD. Eight were identified by POS before discharge and 10 were diagnosed after discharge.
Infants diagnosed with CCHD by POS had lower pre- and postductal SpO2 compared with normal infants. Their postductal PI was significantly lower. Infants
who had CCHD that was not identified by POS had similar pre- and postductal SpO2 values, but their postductal PI was lower. Using a postductal PI cutoff of 1.21 had
a receiver operating curve of area under the curve 0.77 (95% confidence interval:
0.672, 0.869) with 74% sensitivity and 61% specificity.
Conclusion In our large cohort of infants born in San Diego County, the postductal PI is lower
in infants with CCHD. Given that PI is routinely displayed on every pulse oximeter
and the high morbidity of missed CCHD, PI should be incorporated into routine CCHD
screening.
Key Points
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Postductal PI is lower in newborn who presented later with congenital heart disease.
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Postductal PI cut-off of 1.21 may help practitioners determine if a newborn is at
risk for CCHD.
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This large cohort study demonstrates that a low PI can detect additional CCHD cases.
Keywords
pulse oximetry - congenital heart disease - pulsatility index
