The American Heart Association strongly supports the Department’s new regulations that add critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) screening using pulse oximetry testing in the Commonwealth’s Newborn Screening System.

With this new regulation, Virginia joins dozens of other states that have taken the important steps to require this life-saving screening for newborns.  The simple pulse oximetry test can detect CCHD in more than 90 percent of afflicted newborns. Moreover, pulse oximetry screening is a low-cost, non-invasive bedside diagnostic test that can be completed in as little as 45 seconds. 

We appreciate the Department’s efforts to move quickly in developing these important regulations that will help some of Virginia’s most-vulnerable citizens.