WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |New legislation drafted for newborns

MADISON (WKOW) -- New legislation is being drafted to require hospitals in Wisconsin to perform a test on newborn children. The test is called pulse oximetry. It could detect congenital heart defects in newborn children.

Melanie Moody's son Aiden almost died from a congenital heart defect when he was born in 2007. Aiden did not have the screening at birth and was rushed into emergency surgery five weeks later.

Melanie says she wants to make sure all babies are screened for heart defects properly.

"Maybe he wouldn't require a tube feeding and he is in the special needs program for developmental delays and perhaps he wouldn't have those developmental delays. I think things could be very different for Aiden," Moody said.

This new bill would require hospitals in Wisconsin to screen babies for congenital heart defects before they leave the hospital. Doctors say it's a non-invasive test and will estimate the percentage of hemoglobin and oxygen in baby's blood.

Hospitals have the technology to perform the tests. The procedure is not always conducted in the newborn nursery.

A device is attached to the babies hand and foot. The results and reading from the test are available in about 60 seconds.

Right now, doctors detect congenital heart defects by prenatal ultra sounds and physical exams. This only identifies less than half of all cases. Critical life threatening defects are often missed.

Pediatric cardiologist, Dr. John Hokanson said this will save lives.

"I would estimate this is going to help about two or three babies per year. That is a small number, but is an important number if it's your baby," Hokanson said.

Melanie and other advocates are asking for help from legislatures to support the bill. The bill was drafted last Tuesday.