Which statement about CCHD screening is true?

• A. Daily auscultation by a pediatrician
• B. Pulse oximetry screening is performed only if symptoms exist
• C. Echocardiography is performed on all newborns
• D. CCHD screening using pulse oximetry is routinely performed

Answer: (D)

Universal pulse oximetry screening for newborns is used to detect critical congenital heart disease early, often before symptoms appear. That’s why performing CCHD screening with pulse oximetry is routinely done in many hospitals. Auscultation alone isn’t reliable because some severe defects don’t produce an early murmur, and many babies with CCHD can appear well at birth. Echocardiography for every newborn isn’t practical or indicated; it’s reserved for when screening results are abnormal or there is clinical concern.