Content Information
How is it done?
How is newborn screening for critical congenital heart disease done?
When your newborn is at least 48 hours old, the health care provider will use a pulse oximeter probe and place it on your baby's right hand, and then the baby's foot. The probe is held in place by straps so it doesn't move. The probe shines a red light through your baby's skin to detect how much oxygen is circulating in the baby's blood. It is a painless procedure.
The health care provider will compare the readings from the hand and foot, to help determine if the heart is working like it should to provide oxygen to the baby's body.
What do the results mean?
Most babies have normal screening results. Sometimes, if the baby is moving or cold, or if the health care provider cannot get a good reading, they will need to repeat the screening at a later time. The health care provider will try up to three times to get a good reading.
If the baby doesn't have good blood oxygen levels, the provider will let your baby's health care provider know. The baby's provider may decide to do more tests, such as an ultrasound of the baby's heart called an echocardiogram. If they think the baby has a heart condition, they will talk to you about the condition and what the next steps will be to get your baby the best care.
Cost
How much does newborn screening for critical congenital heart disease cost?
Each hospital or health care provider has its own billing process for CCHD screening. If your baby was born in the hospital, the cost for this screening is included in your hospital bill as part of routine newborn care. If your baby was born in a community setting, the health care provider will let you know about costs, or the outpatient area of a clinic or hospital can tell you how much they charge.
Usually it is less than $5.00 to do the screening test, plus charges for any materials used, like disposable probes or straps.
Refusal of CCHD Screening
What if I don't want my baby screened for critical congenital heart disease?
Iowa Law requires all babies to receive newborn critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) screening because it is so important to find these disorders and provide treatment as soon as possible to prevent severe effects or even death. Even though
After hearing or reading all the information about newborn CCHD screening, a newborn's parent or guardian may decide to not have their baby receive newborn screening for critical congenital heart disease. They may decide to opt-out of the CCHD screening.
Your baby's health care provider will provide the refusal form for your review and signature.