A NEW TEST TO DETECT CRITICAL CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE IN BABIES WILL SOON BE LAW IN NEW MEXICO. THE TESTING WILL BE REQUIRED IN ALL HOSPITALS STARTING THIS FRIDAY. BRENDA ROMERO WITH THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS THIS COULD BE A LIFE-SAVER. SHE SAYS IT'S A NON-INVASIVE PROCEDURE THAT SCREENS BABIES FOR HEART DEFECTS THAT COULD MAKE THEM VERY SICK IF THOSE GO UNDETECTED.
SHE SAYS THE FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION CAN BE FATAL. THE TESTING IS ALREADY BEING DONE IN SOME NEW MEXICO HOSPITALS. THE REQUIREMENT WAS SIGNED IN TO LAW EARLIER THIS YEAR BY GOVERNOR MARTINEZ.
