Pulse oximetry screening is a painless test that checks whether your baby has a congenital heat defect. While some babies with heart defects are picked up at the anatomy scan, these scans can miss some heart defects, so this is another screening tool to help prevent baby becoming unwell if they have a heart defect. The test is done at 2-24 hours of age.
The test involves placing two sensors against baby’s foot and wrapping them with a disposable wrap to check the oxygen level in their blood. The sensors do not pierce the skin and this test does not hurt baby.
If the sensors detect a blood oxygen saturation of over 95%, then no further action needs to be taken. If it detects a saturation of 90-94%, then the test will be repeated in one to two hours, a maximum of three times in total. If the baby’s oxygen saturation is below 95% three times, or if it is ever under 90%, then they will be referred for a paediatric review immediately.