Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) is one of the leading causes of death among newborns. This condition is often diagnosed too late, making it essential to detect it early using a simple screening tool known as a pulse oximeter.
This was stated by Professor Indah Kartika Murni, a lecturer at the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), during her inauguration speech as a professor of pediatric health on Tuesday (Aug. 13) at the UGM Central Office.
In her inaugural address titled “Implementation of Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening Using Pulse Oximeter in Newborns: Applying Local Evidence to National Policy,” Professor Murni explained that Asia has the highest incidence of CCHD globally.
However, a pulse oximeter can be used for newborns to check oxygen saturation at primary healthcare facilities, which is cost-effective, non-invasive, and easy to detect CCHD.
“Screening with this tool is already routine in various countries. After six years, there has been a 33% reduction in CCHD mortality,” she said.
She added that echocardiography is also used to diagnose CCHD in follow-up screening. However, not many pediatric cardiology subspecialists in Indonesia can use this tool to diagnose CCHD.
“Therefore, there is a need to enhance the capability to perform echocardiography to assist in diagnosing congenital heart disease in children,” she said.
Professor Murni explained that CCHD is a significant health issue among newborns in Indonesia, which can lead to death if not quickly detected.
“The delay in diagnosis necessitates pulse oximeter screening for early detection of CCHD. With its implementation now being carried out in all healthcare services across Indonesia, it is hoped that infant mortality due to CCHD can be reduced,” she stated.
The Chair of the Board of Professors, Professor Muhammad Baiquni, noted that Professor Murni is one of the 452 active professors at Universitas Gadjah Mada. At the faculty level, she is one of the 63 active professors out of the 131 FK-KMK UGM has ever had.
Author: Lintang
Editor: Gusti Grehenson