Life-saving screening closer to reality for La.’s newborn

Dear Editor,

On Wednesday, May 8, the Louisiana House voted in favor of the pulse ox bill that ensures all Louisiana newborns are screened for heart defects before going home. We are just another step closer to providing all Louisiana newborns with this life saving screening.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defects in Louisiana and the leading killer of infants with birth defects, taking a significant emotional and financial toll on families across the state. Since not all cases of CHD are diagnosed during pregnancy, it is important for newborns to receive a pulse oximetric screening to detect heart defects.

Multiple national and international studies reveal that pulse oximetry is the most effective way to detect congenital heart defects. Without this test, a serious or life-threatening episode is likely to occur in a baby with an undetected, critical congenital heart defect. The bill will move before the Senate in the next week. The American Heart Association encourages all of our elected officials to support this bill and support Louisiana newborns.

Catherine Straatmann,

Houma