NEW LAW CO-SPONSORED BY ADDABBO WILL HELP DETECT & ENSURE TREATMENT FOR POSSIBLY FATAL HEART BIRTH DEFECTS IN NEWBORNS Governor Cuomo has approved a new law, which I co-sponsored in the Senate (S.270), that will help to ensure that fewer newborn babies in New York State will suffer from serious and undetected birth defects in their hearts. Under the new law (Chapter 184), birthing facilities throughout New York – including general hospitals and clinics – will be required to test newborn babies for congenital heart defects using a painless procedure known as pulse oximetry screening. Many of my constituents contacted me over the course of the legislative session in support of the measure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), congenital heart defects occur in almost one percent of all live births in the nation and are the leading cause of death in infants who lose their lives as a direct result of birth defects. Undetected congenital heart defects can lead to the tragic loss of newborn babies, and can also lead to serious physical and developmental disabilities in children who survive. However, with early detection and treatment, many children born with these heart conditions can thrive and live happy, healthy lives. Pulse oximetry testing – also known as “pulse ox” screening – is non-invasive and painless, and uses sensors attached to an infant’s hands and feet to determine the baby’s blood oxygen levels within 24 to 48 hours of birth. When low oxygen levels are detected, additional tests can then be administered to check for congenital heart defects (CHDs) and the more serious and life-threatening critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs) which may not be identified through prenatal ultrasounds and other routine newborn examinations. If a problem is detected, immediate medical intervention and treatment can begin to safeguard the baby’s life and prevent unnecessary grief and heartbreak. We already check newborns for a variety of other conditions, and pulse ox screening will be an important part of the mix. Knowledge is power, and this new law will give parents the knowledge they and their physicians need to pursue the best and healthiest course of action for their babies. The new law will take effect 180 days from its initial signing on July 31. New York will be joining nearly half of all states in the country which have already implemented pulse ox screening for newborn congenital heart defects, which has been recommended by the United States Department of Health and Human Services since 2011.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 16:00:00 +0000
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