Newborn resuscitation devices: The known unknowns and the unknown unknowns

Few-Shot Conditional Learning: Automatic and Reliable Device Classification for Medical Test Equipment

The limited availability of specialized image databases (particularly in hospitals, where tools vary between providers) makes it difficult to train deep learning models. This paper presents a few-shot learning methodology that uses a pre-trained ResNet integrated with an encoder as a backbone to encode conditional shape information for the classification of neonatal resuscitation equipment from less than 100 natural images. The model is also strengthened by incorporating a reliability score, which enriches the prediction with an estimation of classification reliability. The model, whose performance is cross-validated, reached a median accuracy performance of over 99% (and a lower limit of 73.4% for the least accurate model/fold) using only 87 meta-training images. During the test phase on complex natural images, performance was slightly degraded due to a sub-optimal segmentation strategy (FastSAM) required to maintain the real-time inference phase (median accuracy 87.25%). This methodology proves to be excellent for applying complex classification models to contexts (such as neonatal resuscitation) that are not available in public databases. Improvements to the automatic segmentation strategy prior to the extraction of conditional information will allow a natural application in simulation and hospital settings.

[Safety of modified T-piece resuscitator versus nasal cannula oxygen in electronic bronchoscopy for infants: a prospective randomized controlled study]

OBJECTIVES

To optimize the oxygen therapy regimens for infants with pulmonary diseases during bronchoscopy.

METHODS

A prospective randomized, controlled, and single-center clinical trial was conducted on 42 infants who underwent electronic bronchoscopy from July 2019 to July 2021. These infants were divided into a nasal cannula (NC) group and a modified T-piece resuscitator (TPR) group using a random number table. The lowest intraoperative blood oxygen saturation was recorded as the primary outcome, and intraoperative heart rate and respiratory results were recorded as the secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Compared with the NC group, the modified TPR group had a significantly higher level of minimum oxygen saturation during surgery and a significantly lower incidence rate of hypoxemia (P<0.05). In the modified TPR group, there were 6 infants with mild hypoxemia, 2 with moderate hypoxemia, and 1 with severe hypoxemia, while in the NC group, there were 3 infants with mild hypoxemia, 5 with moderate hypoxemia, and 9 with severe hypoxemia (P<0.05). The modified TPR group had a significantly lower incidence rate of intraoperative respiratory rhythm abnormalities than the NC group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the incidence rate of arrhythmias between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Modified TPR can significantly reduce the risk of hypoxemia in infants with pulmonary diseases during electronic bronchoscopy, and TPR significantly decreases the severity of hypoxemia and the incidence of respiratory rhythm abnormalities compared with traditional NC.

Ventilation devices for neonatal resuscitation at birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Initial management of inadequate adaptation to extrauterine life relies on non-invasive respiratory support. Two types of devices are available: fixed pressure devices (FPD; T-pieces or ventilators) and hand driven pressure devices (HDPD; self- or flow-inflating bags). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare clinical outcomes after neonatal resuscitation according to device type.

METHODS

Four databases were searched from inception to 2022, January. Search strategies included Mesh/Emtree terms as well as free language without any restriction. Randomized, quasi-randomized studies and prospective cohorts comparing the use of the two types of devices in neonatal resuscitation were included.

RESULTS

Nine studies recruiting 3621 newborns were included: 5 RCTs, 2 RCTs with interventions bundles and 2 prospective cohorts. Meta-analysis of the 5 RCTs demonstrated significant reductions in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (RR0,68[0,48-0,96]-NNT 31) and other respiratory outcomes: intubation in the delivery room (RR0,72[0,58-0,88]-NNT 13,4), mechanical ventilation requirements (RR0,81[0,67-0,96]-NNT 17) and duration (MD-1,54 days[-3,03- -0,05]), need for surfactant (RR0,79[0,64-0,96]-NNT 7,3). The overall analysis found a lower mortality in the FPD group (OR0,57[0,47-0,69]-NNT 12,7) and confirmed decreases in intubation, surfactant requirement and mechanical ventilation rates (OR 0,56[0,40-0,79]- NNT7,5; OR 0,67[0,55-0,82]-NNT10,7 and OR0,58[0,42-0,80]- NNT 7,4 respectively). The risk of cystic periventricular leukomalacia (cPVL) decreased significantly with FPD (OR0.59[0.41-0.85]-NNT 27). Pneumothorax rates were similar (OR0.82[0.44-1.52]).

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Resuscitation at birth with FPD improves respiratory transition and decreases BPD with a very low to moderate certainty of evidence. There is suggestion of decreases in mortality and cPVL. Further studies are still needed to confirm those results.

Management of the Unexpected Difficult Airway in Neonatal Resuscitation

A "difficult airway situation" arises whenever face mask ventilation, laryngoscopy, endotracheal intubation, or use of supraglottic device fail to secure ventilation. As bradycardia and cardiac arrest in the neonate are usually of respiratory origin, neonatal airway management remains a critical factor. Despite this, a well-defined in-house approach to the neonatal difficult airway is often lacking. While a recent guideline from the British Pediatric Society exists, and the Scottish NHS and Advanced Resuscitation of the Newborn Infant (ARNI) airway management algorithm was recently revised, there is no Norwegian national guideline for managing the unanticipated difficult airway in the delivery room (DR) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Experience from anesthesiology is that a "difficult airway algorithm," advance planning and routine practicing, prepares the resuscitation team to respond adequately to the technical and non-technical stress of a difficult airway situation. We learned from observing current approaches to advanced airway management in DR resuscitations in a university hospital and make recommendations on how the neonatal difficult airway may be managed through technical and non-technical approaches. Our recommendations mainly pertain to DR resuscitations but may be transferred to the NICU environment.