Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2006

Mentors: Dorothy Sendelbach, Elizabeth Quarles, Elizabeth Stehel
Department: Pediatrics
Room number: Parkland Newborn Nursery
Mail Code: 9063
Phone number: 214-590-4054
E-mail: Dorothy.sendelbach@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Pulse oximetry screening of term and near-term neonates at 4 hours of age and at hospital discharge to detect asymptomatic cyanotic heart defects

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 062005-066

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):

Project Type Patient based prospective clinical study.

Brief Description of Project: Congenital cardiovascular malformations are the most common birth defect, with a prevalence of 6.6 per 1,000 live births in Dallas County. Congenital heart disease accounts for approximately 35% of infant deaths from birth defects. Neither prenatal ultrasound nor physical assessments are effective screening methods for congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease meets criteria for mass screening if an effective screening test were available. Several published studies suggest that pulse oximetry on all neonates prior to hospital discharge (at 24-103 hours of age) is an effective screening tool for detection of significant congenital cardiac anomalies. Since mass screening would be more efficiently accomplished shortly after the birth of the neonate, we are interested in determining if screening pulse oximetry at 4 hours of age would be effective. Little information exists regarding the normal O2 saturation of neonates within the first 4 hours of life. Last summer, pilot data was collected and indicated feasibility. The study has now been initiated, with completion anticipated April 2007.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

Lai S. Sendelbach DM. Stehel EK. Quarles EA. Jackson GL. Engle WD. Pulse Oximetry Screening of Term and Near-Term Neonates at 4 Hours of Age to Detect Asymptomatic Cyanotic Congenital Heart Defects. 44th Annual UT Southwestern Medical Student Research Forum, Dallas, Texas; January 17, 2006 (poster abstract)

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