Ventricular septal defects

Routine physical examination at birth and other times will generally detect the murmur of ventricular septal defect leading to the diagnosis. All newborns should be screened for congenital heart defects, ideally using pulse oximetry. An echocardiogram is necessary only if the child has a murmur, or has unexplained faltering growth or heart failure signs. In the US and certain other countries, a failed pulse oximetry screen mandates echocardiographic evaluation for critical congenital heart disease.[25]Wasserman MA, Shea E, Cassidy C, et al. Recommendations for the adult cardiac sonographer performing echocardiography to screen for critical congenital heart disease in the newborn: from the American Society of Echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2021 Mar;34(3):207-22. https://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.echo.2020.12.005 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33518447?tool=bestpractice.com