Course Title: Newborn Screening Part Two - Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD)
Trainer: Kimberly Piper, RN, BS, CPH, CPHG, State Genetics Coordinator
Timing: 1 hour; Offered One Time Per Semester
Description: Congenital heart disease is imperative to identify and treat as soon as possible. Critical congenital heart disease may lead to low oxygen levels in the newborn, and may require surgical or medical intervention in the first year of life. Early detection of congenital heart disease allows for early interventions to assure the best outcomes for the newborn. Almost all types of known congenital heart defects can be surgically repaired or palliated.
For the above reasons, Iowa law requires every newborn to be screened for CCHD. This screening is typically done at least 24 hours of age or prior to discharge from the hospital, when the baby is at least 48 hours of age.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand what CCHD is,
- Why screening for CCHD is vital,
- What the CCHD newborn screening process is like,
- How to communicate this process to your families.
Competency Addressed: Infant and Early Childhood Development
Reflective Questions:
- You are working with a first-time parent; how would you best describe the CCHD screening to them?
- Pretend that you are working with a parent that has a child diagnosed with a CCHD, how would you best support that parent and child as their home visitor?