Bath hospital introduces new heart defect screening for babies

A hospital has introduced a new test to help identify heart problems in babies.

Infants born at the Royal United Hospital Bath are being offered blood oxygen level screening.

The Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening will also be extended to Frome and Chippenham birth centres and babies born at home in the trust area later this year.

Mum Lauren, whose son George underwent the test, said it helped "reassure" her that "everything was well".

"The screening test was quick and painless," she added.

The screening, which is not a mandatory requirement for UK hospitals, was introduced thanks to a donation of equipment by Tiny Tickers, a charity who work to improve the detection, care and treatment of babies with serious heart conditions.

The equipment works by using a pulse oximeter, helping to identify babies with critical congenital heart disease before they become unwell.

It also spots breathing problems such as pneumonia.

A small probe connected to a small, handheld machine that measures the baby's oxygen levels by a shining light through the skin is wrapped around the baby's hand and foot.Chris Tate, consultant paediatrician at Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Foundation Trust, said: "This screening is quick and painless and has been found to be really successful in identifying babies born with heart defects.

"By identifying heart problems at such an early stage babies can get the care and treatment they need."I would like to thank Tiny Tickers who have generously donated more monitors to us, which means we can now roll out the testing to the local community," he added.

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