Save Georgian Babies with Critical Heart Defects

Thanks to your generous support, RVF has raised $ 23,371 to screen newborns for critical congenital heart defects in Georgia. The funds raised through GlobalGiving have allowed the purchase of 25 new pulse oximeters and additional training for physicians and healthcare workers. All 21 maternity centers in Tbilisi are now being supplied with these state-of-the-art devices, which provide a safe and non-invasive method to detect potential critical congenital heart defects in newborns.

The program, which RVF began in June 2014, has already saved many lives. Since the GlobalGiving campaign began in March 2015, the funds raised have supported the screening of 6,084 newborns. Of those newborns, 19 babies were identified with heart defects; 6 of those cases were confirmed critical congenital heart defects. All babies with confirmed heart defects were quickly given emergency treatment free of charge at the Jo Ann Cardiovascular Center in Tbilisi. All of the babies have survived.

The new pulse oximeters will bring greater sensitivity to the screening process and it is expected that the number of newborns diagnosed with critical congenital heart defects may increase by as much as 50%. Nurses and physicians administering the newborn screening program are scheduled to be trained on the new equipment during the second half of June.

For first-time mother Nino, the benefits of the new screening program were very personal. Without the screening program, her son’s heart defect might not have been detected until it was too late. Here is her story:

“When I held my baby Andreia in my arms, I was the happiest person in the world. The doctor told me that my baby had been screened and the results showed a possible heart defect and an urgent transfer to the cardio clinic was needed. Andreia was diagnosed with transposition of great arteries and preparations for urgent surgery was underway at once. When the surgery was complete, my little Andreia’s heart beat was strong and healthy and to my utmost happiness, they told me that his healthy heartbeat would last life-long. If not for this life-saving screening program, I would not be enjoying motherhood right now.”

Demand for the heart screening program has been so high that Tbilisi’s larger maternity centers have been struggling to screen all newborns. RVF urgently needs to raise$8,000 to purchase additional pulse oximeters to ensure that all newborns in Tbilisi have access to the screening program. Please consider donating to expand this life-saving program.

Have any questions or feedback on the program? Comment here, or contact me directly at kmm@rostropovich.org.

Links:

• Read more about RVF's newborn heart screening program here

• Full First Quarterly Report (PDF)