AAP Endorses New Algorithm for Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2024 -- In a clinical report published online Dec. 16 in Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics endorses a new algorithm for use in critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) screening, which was added to the U.S. Recommended Uniform Screening Panel in 2011.
Matthew E. Oster, M.D., M.P.H., from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and colleagues present updated recommendations for CCHD screening since the 2011 AAP endorsement.
The authors note that a new AAP algorithm has been endorsed for use in CCHD screening. This new algorithm has a passing oxygen saturation threshold of ≥95 percent in pre- and post-ductal measurements and has only one retest for infants who do not pass the first screen, instead of two. To aid in surveillance and monitoring of the program and continue to improve screening, state newborn screening programs should collect a recommended minimum uniform dataset. Education on the limitations of screening, the significance of non-CCHD conditions, and the importance of adhering to protocol should be provided to stakeholders. Improving overall sensitivity and implementing methods to reduce health inequities are included as future directions of CCHD screening.
"The recommended changes to the algorithm simplify the screening process, potentially decreasing error rates in the interpretation of the algorithm and reducing the time to conduct a screening," the authors write.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted December 2024
Read this next
Swept-Source Anterior Segment OCT Can Help Distinguish Early Childhood Glaucoma
FRIDAY, May 23, 2025 -- The noninvasive swept-source anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (SS-ASOCT) can diagnose early-onset childhood glaucoma, according to a study...
Semaglutide Plus Intensive Behavioral Therapy Most Beneficial for Weight Loss
FRIDAY, May 23, 2025 -- Weight loss treatment combining personalized semaglutide with intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) yields weight loss similar to that reported in...
Higher Social Media Use Tied to Subsequent Depressive Symptoms in Youth
FRIDAY, May 23, 2025 -- Higher social media use is associated with greater subsequent depressive symptoms in children and adolescents, according to a study published online May 21...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.