Background:

1. Measuring post-ductal oxygen saturation of healthy newborns: Is this method an in depth measuring tool? Feldman, M. MD, Abudy, Z. MD, Nadir, E. MD, Yurman S. MD And the nursing staff in the Department of Neonatology, Hillel-Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel Background: Methods: Results: Congenital cardiovascular malformation is a significant cause for illness and death in pediatric patients. In approximately one third of the patients born with congenital cardiovascular malformation, their physical state becomes critical within their first year of life, most, within their first month of life. Physical examination of the newborn before discharge from the hospital does not always reveal a significant congenital cardiovascular malformation. Several studies have used measurements of post-ductal oxygen saturation of newborns being discharged, finding a correlation between low post-ductal oxygen saturation and the existence of a "silent" cardiovascular malformation.. From 1 of April 2003 and 31st of March 2004 post-ductal oxygen saturation was examined at room temperature in all asymptomatic newborns being discharged from the hospital. An echocardiography was performed on infants whose saturation was less than 95% or if there were clinical findings indicating suspected cardiovascular malformation. The results were written by the discharging doctor. Measurement results and echocardiography findings were summarized and plotted by the head researcher. Measurements of post-ductal oxygen saturation were done on 3732 infants. Sixty two of these infants had clinical signs for cardiovascular malformation; however their post-ductal oxygen saturation levels were normal. Three infants were found to have complicated cardiovascular malformations and one other had a life risking cardiovascular malformation. Six infants had measurements of post-ductal oxygen saturation below 94% without any additional evidence of complicated or life risking cardiovascular malformations. Summery: Conclusions: Throughout the research period, not one case of significant cardiovascular malformation was discovered measuring post-ductal oxygen saturation before discharge. Measurement of post-ductal oxygen saturation is a simple noninvasive procedure, with no additional financial burden. However, in our population, measuring post-ductal oxygen saturation before discharge didn't assist in revealing the existence of a significant "silent" cardiovascular malformation in the healthy newborn. This Hess incubator was originally used in Chicago at the Sarah Morris Children’s Hospital (of Michael Reese Medical Center) in 1922 Objectives: To investigate if measuring post-ductal oxygen of healthy asymptomatic newborns before being discharged from the hospital, can be used as an additional reliable instrument in revealing "silent" cardiovascular malformation. Printed by