Detecting heart defects in newborn infants--innocent murmurs mixed with silent dangers.
Detection of severe heart defects without unnecessary delay is a primary task for providers of infant care. Screening is challenged by the fact that a normal physical examination after birth does not exclude severe defects. Shorter hospital stay for newborn infants and a reduced number of examinations may further hamper a successful mission. Reassuringly, most critical heart defects are reported to be identified early.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased awareness of the limitations of screening and continued monitoring of detection rates, as well as studies on how they can be improved, are warranted.
Norman
Mikael
M
Neonatal Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. mikael.norman@ki.se
D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006337:Heart Murmurs / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D010351:Patient Discharge; D015203:Reproducibility of Results