Today it has been revealed that a simple test with a pulse oximeter can help detect congenital birth defects in newborn babies.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14401119
Current methods to detect heart defects are based on ultrasound scans but this method is not reliable and many defects are not detected. If the baby is then allowed home, a serious problem can develop as the baby grows which can sometimes be fatal.
It now appears that a quick non-invasive test with a pulse oximeter can show low oxygen distribution which may be an indicator of a heart valve defect or a hole in the heart chambers.
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