New Law Gets High Marks From Local Cardiologist

A new state law mandating the testing of newborns for heart defects was praised Tuesday by a local cardiologist as a step in the right direction.

But Dr. Loyda Rivera, a pediatric cardiologist with offices in Wall and Middletown, said New Jersey’s first in the nation status hopefully will spur similar federal legislation and bring the rest of the country in line with the Garden State.

Gov. Chris Christie last week signed into law a bill requiring every newborn be screened for heart defects through a non-invasive, painless procedure called “pulse oximetry,’’ or “pulse-ox,’’ for short.

The test measures the percentage of oxygen in the blood and the effectiveness of the heart and lungs. A sensor taped to a newborn’s foot beams red light through the foot to measure the blood oxygen content.

“It is a simple test that should be done every time,’’ Rivera said. “Now they are obligated to do it. There’s no way to avoid doing it.’’

Congenital heart disease affects one in approximately every 100 births in the U.S., affecting about 40,000 babies each year. It is considered the most common birth defect worldwide, and is the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths, according to the Congenital Heart Defect Information Network.

“We are testing newborns for very rare anomolies,’’ Rivera said, “But heart disease affects 1 in 100. I don’t know why it has taken so long (to require testing).’’

The bill was sponsored by Jason O’Donnell, D-Hudson, who has a child with a congential heart defect.

"This measure is about saving lives,’’ O’Donnell said in a release. “Our newborns deserve the best care we can offer them, and pulse ox testing should be included in that care."

Rivera said even with the screening, some heart defects remain tricky and will not be immediately detected. But, she said, the new mandate will go a long way toward catching many heart defects and getting those infants the care they need before it is too late.

“This is overdue, but it is going to be very important,’’ Rivera said. “It is going to be very good.’’