The Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the regulative body of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, together with ‘Children’s National Medical Center today announced the rollout of a newborn screening program in Abu Dhabi for critical cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCCHD), the most serious form of congenital heart disease (CHD).
Made possible by a long-standing relationship between HAAD and Children’s Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, the program aims to increase knowledge and skills in pulse oximetry, a non-invasive and cost-effective screening procedure that detects CCCHD in newborns. By using pulse oximetry, HAAD estimates that 10 Abu Dhabi children each year will be diagnosed with CCCHD and will receive treatment early enough to more effectively manage the condition.
“This particular test is highly recommended in order to detect critical congenital heart diseases before the newborn is discharged from the maternity hospital. It will be fully integrated into the neonatal screening program, which began implementation in 2010,” said Dr. Shereena Al Mazrouie, Senior Officer of Family and School Health at HAAD.
Dr. Gerard Martin, co-director of Children’s National Heart Institute at Children’s National who conducted the trainings in Abu Dhabi said: “Diagnosing and treating CCCHD in its early stages is key. That’s why it is so important to have pulse oximetry screening available to all newborns”.
“Our partnership with HAAD enables us to engage in the mutual knowledge sharing and education needed to bring technologies like pulse oximetry to children and families worldwide, and ultimately, save lives”, he added.
WAM