“I understand why it’s important to check for serious heart problems in babies, but what is pulse oximetry screening, and how, when, and where will this screening happen?”“
Pulse Oximetry Screening: Basic Facts
If you have questions that aren’t answered here, or if you want more information about this screening, please ask your doctor or contact the Wisconsin SHINE Project.
All babies born in Wisconsin should get checked for serious heart problems, including those in the NICU or born outside of hospitals.
Pulse oximetry is a quick and painless way to check how much oxygen is in the blood. A special light goes through the skin, and a sensor measures the oxygen level. If a baby has low oxygen levels, they may need more tests to check for serious heart problems.
If a baby needs extra oxygen when they are born, they should wait until they don’t need it anymore for the screening. If a baby goes home on extra oxygen, they don’t need this screening.
A pulse oximetry probe will check the oxygen levels in the right hand and in one foot. Checking both places helps us see how well the heart is working to send oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
The screen will be done by your nurse between 24-48 hours of life
Your baby has two chances to pass the screening.
PASS: If the oxygen level is 95% or higher in the right hand and one foot, and the difference between the hand and foot is 3% or less, the baby passes. No more tests are needed.
FAIL: If the oxygen level is less than 90% at any time, this is an immediate fail and the baby needs more tests. If the level is between 90-94% on a repeat check, this is also a fail.
REPEAT: If the oxygen level is between 90-94% in the right hand or one foot, or if the difference between the hand and foot is more than 3%, the test will be repeated one hour later. If the level is still between 90-94% or more than 3% difference during the second check, it is considered a fail.
| Two Sites | A pulse oximetry probe will measure the oxygen saturation in the right hand and the right or left foot. Measuring in these two places gives a more accurate picture of the function of the heart. |
|---|---|
| Three Strikes | A baby has three chances to pass pulse oximetry screening unless they are found to have very low oxygen saturation (<90%) in the hand or the foot at any point in the screening process. |
| Pass | Pulse oximetry reading greater than 95% in either hand or foot and difference between hand and foot <= 3% is an immediate pass and no further testing is needed. |
|---|---|
| Fail | Pulse oximetry reading less than 90% anywhere anytime is an immediate fail and baby requires further evaluation. |
| Repeat | If the pulse oximetry reading is between 90-94% in right hand AND foot or if there is >3% difference between two sites the screen will be repeated one hour later. At the repeat screen the baby can pass, fail, or require one more repeat screen an hour later. After the third screen the baby must either pass or fail. Pulse oximetry between 90-94% in right hand AND foot or >3% difference between two sites on the third screen is considered a fail. |
