Impact of clinical research on public health policy of neonatal screening for congenital heart disease in China

Congenital heart disease(CHD)is one of the most common congenital malformations,with a prevalence of approximately 1%in live births.[1,2]Among them,1/4 to 1/3 are major CHD,including critical CHD(CCHD)and serious CHD,which require surgical or catheter intervention before 1 year of age.[3]Major CHD,if left untreated,may cause serious outcomes,such as heart failure,cardiogenic shock,acidosis,and hypoxic-ischemic brain damage,and is one of the leading causes of infant death and childhood disability.[4]The missed diagnosis rate of CCHD in four nurseries ranges from 13%to 48%in developed countries,[4,5]but in China,is>71%before serious symptoms occur after birth.[6]Therefore,screening for CHD is useful for early detection,diagnosis,and treatment and helps to improve prognosis and reduces the medical,economic,and mental burden to both the family and the society.[5,7]