New York – State To Require Screening Newborns For Heart Defects

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    Reuters (File Photo)New York – New York hospitals will be required next year to screen newborns for heart defects under a new state law.

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    The measure signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo will require all birthing facilities to administer the test called pulse oximetry screening.

    The one-minute procedure provides early detection of heart defects that could be addressed quickly by surgery, potentially saving babies’ lives.

    The process involves taping a small sensor to a newborn’s foot as light is beamed at the foot to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood. The screening is more effective than more common tests and some hospitals already use it.

    The law takes effect in 180 days.

    Cuomo has signed several other measures this week, including one letting New York City monitor school speed zones with cameras.


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    2 Comments
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    10 years ago

    Hospitals are closing in Brooklyn & you think they’ll have money to do preventive testing on newborns? It’s a joke. It will be challenged by money-grubbing or broke hospitals – there are only 2 categories right now.

    Having said that, my grandchildren born in a former communist country are tested for everything. In fact, as a newborn, the youngest was found to have a serious kidney problem which, upon further testing at 3 months, showed a deterioration & she will need surgery & is under constant monitoring (they are waiting till she is bigger & older.). The interesting thing is, without that first test she could go into renal failure and they would never know there was a problem until it was too late. So preventive testing does save lives.

    Normal
    Normal
    10 years ago

    #1 so first you say ‘it’s a joke’ then you say it ‘does save lives’ – which is it?