Betreuung des gesunden Neugeborenen in Kreißsaal und Kinderzimmer: Empfehlungen der Arbeitsgruppe Neonatologie und Pädiatrische Intensivmedizin der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Kinder- u. Jugendheilkunde (ÖGKJ)

[Effects of Obstetric Analgesia with Systemic Opioids on the Newborn - A Review]

INTRODUCTION

Three-quarters of all women receive analgesia during labor. There are regional and systemic analgesia procedures available. In this review, we investigate the impact of obstetric analgesia using systemic opioids on neonatal outcomes.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases using the following search terms: "meptazinol", "meptide", "analgesia", "painkiller", "pain reliever", "obstetrics", "labor", "labour", "delivery", "neonate", "newborn", "child", "baby", "infant", "fetus", "fetal", "opioid" and "opiate" as well as performed an additional MeSH Terms search in PubMed.

RESULTS

Of 355 potentially relevant studies, we included 23 studies in this review. The studies varied widely in quality, sample size, and outcome criteria. Neonatal outcome was often only a secondary endpoint. Rarely were significant differences related to neonatal outcome reported between the different systemic opioids or compared with control groups. Twelve studies compared neonatal APGAR scores between treatment groups, with ten (83%) of these studies showing no differences.

DISCUSSION/OUTLOOK

In summary, we assess the evidence as limited and ambiguous as to whether systemic obstetric opioid therapy negatively affects the newborn. Studies regarding the long-term outcome of the newborns are lacking. A statement regarding the necessity of postnatal monitoring of newborns after maternal obstetric opioid therapy cannot be concluded. Further studies, ideally with a prospective study design and control group, should be considered.

Guidelines on Deferred Cord Clamping and Cord Milking: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Deferred cord clamping (DCC) saves lives. It reduces extremely preterm infants' mortality by 30%, yet a minority of eligible infants receive it. This may in part be due to lack of awareness or confidence in evidence, or conflicting or vague guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review clinical practice guidelines and other statements on DCC and cord milking.

DATA SOURCES

Ten academic and guideline databases were searched.

STUDY SELECTION

Clinical practice guidelines and other statements (position statements and consensus statements) providing at least 1 recommendation on DCC or umbilical cord milking among preterm or term infants were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data from included statements were extracted by 2 independent reviewers, and discrepancies were resolved through consensus. Guideline quality was appraised with modified Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II and Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Recommendation Excellence tools.

RESULTS

Forty-four statements from 35 organizations were included. All endorsed DCC for uncompromised preterm infants, and 11 cautiously stated that cord milking may be considered when DCC is infeasible. Only half (49%) of the recommendations on the optimal duration of DCC were supported by high-quality evidence. Only 8% of statements cited a mortality benefit of DCC for preterm infants.

LIMITATIONS

Because systematic reviews of guidelines are relatively novel, there are few tools to inform study execution; however, we used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Recommendation Excellence to assess quality and were methodologically informed by previous systematic reviews of guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

Statements worldwide clearly encouraged DCC. Their implementability would benefit from noting the preterm mortality benefit of DCC and more granularity.

Delivery Room Management of Infants with Very Low Birth Weight in 3 European Countries-The Video Apgar Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess delivery room management of infants born preterm at 4 Level III perinatal centers in 3 European countries.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective, multicenter observational study. Management at birth was video-recorded and evaluated (Interact version 9.6.1; Mangold-International, Arnstorf, Germany). Data were analyzed and compared within and between centers.

RESULTS

The infants (n = 138) differed significantly with respect to the median (25%, 75%) birth weight (grams) (Center A: 1200 [700, 1550]; Center B: 990 [719, 1240]; Center C: 1174 [835, 1435]; Center D: 1323 [971, 1515] [B vs A, C, D: P < .05]), gestational week (Center A: 28.4 [26.3, 30.0]; Center B: 27.9 [26.7, 29.6]; Center C: 29.3 [26.4, 31.0]; Center D: 30.3 [28.0, 31.9]), Apgar scores, rates of cesarean delivery, and time spent in the delivery room. Management differed significantly for frequency and drying time, rates of electrocardiographic monitoring, suctioning or stimulation, and for fundamental interventions such as time for achieving a reliable peripheral oxygen saturation signal (seconds) (Center A: 97.6 ± 79.3; Center B: 65.1 ± 116.2; Center C: 97.1 ± 67.0; Center D: 114.4 ± 140.5; B vs A, C, D: P < .001) and time for intubation (seconds) (Center A: 48.7 ± 4.2; Center B: 49.0 ± 30.7; Center C: 69.1 ±37.9; Center D: 65.1 ± 23.8; B vs D, P < .025). Mean procedural times did not meet guideline recommendations. The sequence of interventions was similar at all centers.

CONCLUSIONS

The Video Apgar Study showed great variability in and between 4 neonatal centers in Europe. The study also showed it is difficult to adhere to published guidelines for recommended times for important, basic measures such as peripheral oxygen saturation measurements and intubation.