Artikkel 1: En utprøving av tre pulsoksymeterapparater til screening av nyfødte for å oppdage medfødte hjertefeil. Artikkel 2: Kan pulsoksymeterscreening i nyfødtperioden bedre diagnostikken ved cyanotiske hjertefeil?

Abstract

Abstract 1:

Comparative testing of pulse oxymeters for screening of congenital heart disease in newborns

Background. Pulse oximetry testing can be a useful tool in order to detect congenital heart defect. There are several types of monitors on the market. We wanted to find the differences in these monitors regarding technology, qualities, price and oxygen saturation values. SpO2 below 95% was used as the border value for a positive test. Material and methods. 18 children were included in the study. Three different apparatus were tested and compared against each other. The study included Masimo SET Radical tm, Nellcor OxiMax N-550 og MiniCorr Oximeter BCI 3402. The sensor was placed on the childs lower extremitet. We observed how fast the oximeters stabilised and measured the pulse and oxygen saturation values six times in the space of three minutes. Results. The oximeters stabilised after 13 too 21 seconds. MiniCorr was the fastest. Masimo showed significant higher SpO2-value than the other two and the lowest number of false positive. Masimo showed a greater variation in the values measured than the other two. Interpretation. Pulse oximeter measurement is simple and fast. In order to reduce the number of false positive testes the child must stay calm and while the saturation is low, the registration has to continue for at least two to four minutes after the oximeter count the correct pulse.

Abstract 2:

Can pulse oximeter screening in the newborn period decrease the age at diagnosis for children with transposition of the great arteries or total anomalous venous connection?

Background. An early diagnosis of some congenital heart defects is of vital importance for the further prognosis. Our study has looked at the time of diagnose for two cyanotic heart defects, transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and total anomalous pulmonary venous connections (TAPVC). The purpose of the study was to see if an early screening with pulse oximeter could reveal the mentioned diagnosis at an earlier stage. Material and method. Retrospectively we studied the journals of all children who had been diagnosed with TGA and TAPVC between 1993 and 2004 at Ullevål University Hospital. Our main focuses were the age , ethnicity signs and symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Results. A total number of 68 children were included in the study. 58% of the children did not have the diagnosis within their first two days, when they normally would have been sent home from the hospital. Children of non ethnic Norwegian parents were given a diagnosis later than others, median values were 7 and 2 days respectively. TAPVC was diagnosed later than TGA, median values were 9 and 1 ½ days respectively. Interpretation. Screening with pulse oximeter on newborns could potentially reveal cyanotic heart defects in children earlier and thus give them a better prognosis.