LANSING, MI – Since April 1, 2014, approximately 982,000 infants have been screened for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Newborn Screening Program. , allowing timely treatment of potentially fatal births. defect. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CCHD is one of the most significant causes of infant death in the United States.

All newborn babies in Michigan are tested for more than 50 different disorders immediately after birth through the state’s Newborn Screening Program. In addition to bloodstain screening, additional testing for CCHD and hearing screening will be performed before discharge. A simple noninvasive test called pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen in the blood and can help detect CCHD in newborns. CCHD may require surgical or catheter intervention within the first year of life.

“Michigan’s Newborn Screening Program is designed to quickly diagnose babies who appear healthy but have rare and often serious diseases that require early treatment,” Chief Medical Officer said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian. “Failing to detect these conditions can put your baby at risk of death or other serious complications within the first few days or weeks of life. Identifying conditions such as severe congenital heart disease This allows for early intervention and healthier outcomes.”

As a result of screening, more than 30 babies were diagnosed with CCHD, and more than 70 babies were diagnosed with hemoglobinopathy, hypothermia, infection, lung disease, non-severe congenital heart disease, persistent pulmonary hypertension, etc. secondary illnesses including hypoxia were diagnosed.

Congenital heart defects are the most common group of birth defects, affecting nearly 1% of births annually in the United States. Approximately 1 in 4 babies have a significant congenital heart defect that requires urgent intervention.

For more information about CCHD, visit Michigan.gov/cchd.

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