The Arizona Department of Health has added a new test to the state newborn screening panel. Most hospitals were already screening for Critical Congenital Heart Defects (CCHD), but the test, which is done at about 24 hours of life, became mandatory in July. 

Arizona is now one of 36 states that screens newborns for CCHD. Dr. Lisa Villarroel is with DHS. She says a baby who is diagnosed with the life-threatening condition requires some kind of intervention within the first year of life.

"Newborns with these heart defects may appear completely healthy, pink, eating well in the hospital only to decompensate when they go home," said Villarroel. "Now with this screening we have a chance at identifying these newborns when they are still under a provider’s care in the hospital."

The non-invasive screening is a “point of care” test, which means results are delivered on the spot. Villarroel says about 7,200 babies are born in the U.S. each year with CCHD.

CCHD is an umbrella term for seven different heart defects. DHS is still working with hospitals in terms of reporting data, though it should receive the first batch of numbers in December.