A potentially life-saving test to help identify heart problems in newborn babies has been introduced at the Royal Stoke Hospital thanks to charity Tiny Tickers.

All babies born at the Royal Stoke are now being offered oxygen saturation screening, which can identify life-threatening heart defects before they are 24 hours old.

The quick and painless test, known as pulse oximetry screening, also detects babies with potentially serious conditions such as respiratory disorders and sepsis.  

The equipment was donated by Tiny Tickers, a national charity that works to improve the detection, care and treatment of babies with serious heart conditions.

Dr Asha Shenvi, consultant neonatologist, said: "We're very excited that we're now able to offer the screening test to our local population. 

"Pulse oximetry screening is a safe, non-invasive and simple test that is used to identify babies with life-threatening heart defects before they become seriously unwell."

The test, which takes around five minutes, is also being rolled out across community midwifery teams for expectant mothers who choose to give birth at home.

It involves wrapping a soft sensor around the baby's hand and foot.

Claire Pearce's daughter Isla, who was born at the Royal Stoke on 5 March weighing 7lbs 3oz, was one of the first babies to be screened.

Claire, 37 from Goldenhill, said: "To have the testing in place is reassuring, because some of the things you hear about and read can be quite scary. The care at UHNM has been fantastic, thank you to all staff for their hard work."

Dr Shenvi added: "By identifying potential concerns at such an early-stage, babies can get timely and effective medical interventions." 

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