Towards evidence-based resuscitation of the newborn infant

Application of artificial hibernation technology in acute brain injury

Controlling intracranial pressure, nerve cell regeneration, and microenvironment regulation are the key issues in reducing mortality and disability in acute brain injury. There is currently a lack of effective treatment methods. Hibernation has the characteristics of low temperature, low metabolism, and hibernation rhythm, as well as protective effects on the nervous, cardiovascular, and motor systems. Artificial hibernation technology is a new technology that can effectively treat acute brain injury by altering the body's metabolism, lowering the body's core temperature, and allowing the body to enter a state similar to hibernation. This review introduces artificial hibernation technology, including mild hypothermia treatment technology, central nervous system regulation technology, and artificial hibernation-inducer technology. Upon summarizing the relevant research on artificial hibernation technology in acute brain injury, the research results show that artificial hibernation technology has neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and oxidative stress-resistance effects, indicating that it has therapeutic significance in acute brain injury. Furthermore, artificial hibernation technology can alleviate the damage of ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, and other diseases, providing new strategies for treating acute brain injury. However, artificial hibernation technology is currently in its infancy and has some complications, such as electrolyte imbalance and coagulation disorders, which limit its use. Further research is needed for its clinical application.

Neonatal Resuscitation: Peculiarities and Challenges

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Knowledge and skills of newborn resuscitation among health care professionals in East Africa. A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Newborn resuscitation is a medical intervention to support the establishment of breathing and circulation in the immediate intrauterine life. It takes the lion's share in reducing neonatal mortality and impairments. Healthcare providers' knowledge and skills are the key determinants of the success of newborn resuscitation. Many primary studies have been conducted in various countries to examine the level of knowledge and skills of newborn resuscitation and associated factors among healthcare providers. However, these studies had great discrepancies and inconsistent results across East Africa. Hence, this review aimed to synthesize the pooled level of knowledge and skills of newborn resuscitation and associated factors among healthcare providers in East Africa.

METHOD

Studies were systematically searched from February 11, 2023, to March 10, 2023, using PubMed, Google Scholar, HINARI, and grey literature. The effect size measurement of knowledge and skill of health care newborn resuscitation was estimated using the Random Effect Model. The data were extracted by Excel and analyzed using Stata 17 software. The Cochran's Q test and I2 statistic were used to assess the heterogeneity of studies. The symmetry of the funnel plot and Egger's test were used to check for publication bias. A subgroup analysis was done on the study years, sample sizes, and geographical location. Percentages and odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI were used to pool the effect measure.

RESULTS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, a total of 1953 articles were retrieved from various databases and registers. Finally, 17 studies with 7655 participants were included. The overall levels of knowledge and skills of healthcare providers on newborn resuscitation were 58.74% (95% CI: 44.34%, 73.14%) and 46.20% (95% CI: 25.16%, 67.24%), respectively. Newborn resuscitation training (OR = 3.95, 95% CI: 2.82, 5.56) and the availability of newborn resuscitation guidelines (OR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.90, 3.86) were factors significantly associated with knowledge of health care professionals on newborn resuscitation. Work experience (OR = 5.92, 95% CI, 2.10, 16.70), newborn resuscitation training (OR = 2.83, 95% CI, 1.8, 4.45), knowledge (OR = 3.05, 95% CI, 1.78, 5.30), and the availability of newborn resuscitation equipment (OR = 4.92, 95% CI, 2.80, 8.62) were determinant factors of skills of health care professionals on newborn resuscitation.

CONCLUSION

The knowledge and skills of healthcare providers on newborn resuscitation in East Africa were not adequate. Newborn resuscitation training and the availability of resuscitation guidelines were determinant factors of knowledge, whereas work experience, knowledge, and the availability of newborn resuscitation equipment and training were associated with the skills of healthcare providers in newborn resuscitation. Newborn resuscitation training, resuscitation guidelines and equipment availability, and work experience are recommended to improve healthcare providers' knowledge and skills.

Effective ventilation and chest compressions during neonatal resuscitation - the role of the respiratory device

BACKGROUND

The success of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in newborns largely depends on effective lung ventilation; however, a direct randomized comparison using different available devices has not yet been performed.

METHODS

Thirty-six professionals were exposed to a realistic newborn CPR scenario. Ventilation with either a bag-valve mask (BVM), T-piece, or ventilator was applied in a randomized manner during CPR using a Laerdal manikin. The primary outcome was the number of unimpaired inflations, defined as the peak of the inflation occurring after chest compression and lasting at least 0.35 s before the following chest compression takes place. The secondary outcomes were tidal volume delivered and heart compression rate. To simulate potential distractions, the entire scenario was performed with or without a quiz. Statistically, a mixed model assessing fixed effects for experience, profession, device, and distraction was used to analyze the data. For direct comparison, one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's correction was applied.

RESULTS

The number of unimpaired inflations was highest in health care professionals using the BVM with a mean ± standard deviation of 12.8 ± 2.8 (target: 15 within 30 s). However, the tidal volumes were too large in this group with a tidal volume of 42.5 ± 10.9 ml (target: 25-30 ml). The number of unimpaired breaths with the mechanical ventilator and the T-piece system were 11.6 (±3.6) and 10.1 (±3.7), respectively. Distraction did not change these outcomes, except for the significantly lower tidal volumes with the T-piece during the quiz.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, for our health care professionals, ventilation using the mechanical ventilator seemed to provide the best approach during CPR, especially in a population of preterm infants prone to volutrauma.

Delayed versus immediate cord clamping in dichorionic twins <32 weeks: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

Strong evidence imply that delayed cord clamping (DCC) provides significant benefits for singleton neonates. However, there is little information about the safety or efficacy of DCC in twins to recommend for or against DCC in twins in guidelines. We aimed to determine the effect of DCC on dichorionic twins born at <32 weeks of gestation.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort study comparing the neonatal and maternal outcomes of immediate cord clamping (ICC) [<15 second (s)] versus DCC (at 60 s). Generalized estimating equations models were performed accounting for twin correlation.

RESULTS

A total of 82 pairs of twins (DCC: 41; ICC: 41) were included in analysis. The primary outcome of death before discharge occurred in 3.66% of twins in the DCC group and 7.32% in the ICC group, without a significant difference between the groups. Compared to ICC group, DCC was associated with increased hemoglobin levels [β1 coefficient 6.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-12.32. β2 coefficient 5.80; 95% CI 0.07-11.54] at 12-24 h of life. There were no significant differences between the groups in neonatal death, neonatal major morbidities and maternal bleeding complications, although DCC was associated with higher estimated maternal blood loss in the cesarean section group (p = .005).

CONCLUSIONS

DCC for 60 s in dichorionic twins born at <32 weeks of gestation was associated with increased neonatal hemoglobin levels, when compared with ICC. The finding of a higher estimated maternal blood loss by cesarean section in the DCC group calls for further trials to assess maternal safety of this procedure in this patient population.

Neonatal airway management training using simulation-based educational methods and technology

Airway management is a fundamental component of neonatal critical care and requires a high level of skill. Neonatal endotracheal intubation (ETI), bag-mask ventilation, and supraglottic airway management are complex technical skills to acquire and continually maintain. Simulation training has emerged as a leading educational modality to accelerate the acquisition of airway management skills and train interprofessional teams. However, current simulation-based training does not always replicate neonatal airway management needed for patient care with a high level of fidelity. Educators still rely on clinical training on live patients. In this article, we will a) review the importance of simulation-based neonatal airway training for learners and clinicians, b) evaluate the available training modalities, instructional design, and challenges for airway procedural skill acquisition, especially neonatal ETI, and c) describe the human factors affecting the transfer of airway training skills into the clinical environment.

Term breech presentation vaginal births in Tibet: A retrospective analysis of 451 cases

Background

In high altitude areas, like Tibet, most fetuses in breech presentation at term are delivered vaginally owing to a variety of reasons, but this has not been published.

Objective

This study aimed to provide references and evidence for the delivery of breach presentation term fetuses in high altitude areas, through comparing and analyzing the data of full-term singleton fetuses with breech or cephalic presentation in Naqu People's Hospital, Tibet.

Study design

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 451 breech presentation fetuses mentioned above over a period of 5  years (2016-2020). A total of 526 cephalic presentation fetuses' data within 3  months (1 June to 1 September 2020) of the same period were collected too. Statistics were compared and assembled on fetal mortality, Apgar scores, and severe neonatal complications for both planned cesarean section (CS) and vaginal delivery. In addition, we also analyzed the types of breech presentation, the second stage of labor, and damage to the maternal perineum during vaginal delivery.

Results

Among the 451 cases of breech presentation fetuses, 22 cases (4.9%) elected for CS and 429 cases (95.1%) elected for vaginal delivery. Of the women who chose vaginal trial labor, 17 cases underwent emergency CSs. The perinatal and neonatal mortality rate was 4.2% in the planned vaginal delivery group and the incidence of severe neonatal complications was 11.7% in the transvaginal group, no deaths were detected in the CS group. Among the 526 cephalic control groups with planned vaginal delivery, the perinatal and neonatal mortality was 1.5% (p = 0.012), and the incidence of severe neonatal complications was 1.9%. Among vaginal breech deliveries, most of them were complete breech presentation (61.17%). Among the 364 cases, the proportion of intact perinea was 45.1%, and first degree lacerations accounted for 40.7%.

Conclusion

In the Tibetan Plateau region, vaginal delivery was less safe than cephalic presentation fetuses for full-term breech presentation fetuses delivered in the lithotomy position. However, if dystocia or fetal distress can be identified in time and then encouraged to convert to cesarean, its safety will be greatly improved.

Respiratory strategy at birth initiates distinct lung injury phenotypes in the preterm lamb lung

Background

A lack of clear trial evidence often hampers clinical decision-making during support of the preterm lung at birth. Protein biomarkers have been used to define acute lung injury phenotypes and improve patient selection for specific interventions in adult respiratory distress syndrome. The objective of the study was to use proteomics to provide a deeper biological understanding of acute lung injury phenotypes resulting from different aeration strategies at birth in the preterm lung.

Methods

Changes in protein abundance against an unventilated group (n = 7) were identified via mass spectrometry in a biobank of gravity dependent and non-dependent lung tissue from preterm lambs managed with either a Sustained Inflation (SI, n = 20), Dynamic PEEP (DynPEEP, n = 19) or static PEEP (StatPEEP, n = 11). Ventilation strategy-specific pathways and functions were identified (PANTHER and WebGestalt Tool) and phenotypes defined using integrated analysis of proteome, physiological and clinical datasets (MixOmics package).

Results

2372 proteins were identified. More altered proteins were identified in the non-dependent lung, and in SI group than StatPEEP and DynPEEP. Different inflammation, immune system, apoptosis and cytokine pathway enrichment were identified for each strategy and lung region. Specific integration maps of clinical and physiological outcomes to specific proteins could be generated for each strategy.

Conclusions

Proteomics mapped the molecular events initiating acute lung injury and identified detailed strategy-specific phenotypes. This study demonstrates the potential to characterise preterm lung injury by the direct aetiology and response to lung injury; the first step towards true precision medicine in neonatology.

Identifying the essential knowledge and skills for Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine: a systematic analysis of practice

The knowledge and skills expected for board certification in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (NPM) should reflect the clinical practice of neonatology. First, a 14-member panel of practicing neonatologists, convened by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), drafted a practice analysis document which identified the practice domains, tasks, knowledge, and skills deemed essential for clinical practice. NPM fellowship program directors provided feedback via online survey resulting in revisions to the document. During the second phase of the project, the panel organized testable knowledge areas into content domains and subdomains to update the existing ABP NPM content outline. All ABP board-certified neonatologists were asked to review via online survey, and results were used to guide final revisions to the content outline. The NPM practice analysis document and the updated NPM content outline should serve as helpful resources for educators, trainees, and practicing neonatologists.

Video recording in the delivery room: current status, implications and implementation

Many factors determine the performance and success of delivery room management of newborn babies. Improving the quality of care in this challenging surrounding has an important impact on patient safety and on perinatal morbidity and mortality. Video recording (VR) offers the advantage to record and store work as done rather than work as recalled. It provides information about adherence to algorithms and guidelines, and technical, cognitive and behavioural skills. VR is feasible for education and training, improves team performance and results of research led to changes of international guidelines. However, studies thus far have not provided data regarding whether delivery room video recording affects long-term team performance or clinical outcomes. Privacy is a concern because data can be stored and individuals can be identified. We describe the current state of clinical practice in high- and low-resource settings, discuss ethical and medical-legal issues and give recommendations for implementation with the aim of improving the quality of care and outcome of vulnerable babies. IMPACT: VR improves performance by health caregivers providing neonatal resuscitation, teaching and research related to delivery room management, both in high as well low resource settings. VR enables information about adherence to guidelines, technical, behavioural and communication skills within the resuscitation team. VR has ethical and medical-legal implications for healthcare, especially recommendations for implementation of VR in routine clinical care in the delivery room. VR will increase the awareness that short- and long-term outcomes of babies depend on the quality of care in the delivery room.

Dynamics of cortical oxygenation during immediate adaptation to extrauterine life

The neonatal transition involves physiological modifications as a consequence of the complexity of the perinatal period. Various strategies can be used to attain the same level of postnatal cerebral oxygenation, depending on the status of the infant at birth. We evaluated such strategies by recording 20 full-term newborns by near-infrared spectroscopy during the first 10 min of life. The acid–base status at birth revealed two clustered profiles of cerebral oxygenation dynamics. Lower pH and base excess and higher lactate levels were associated with more rapid attainment of the 95% maximal tissue oxygenation index value. These results suggest that metabolic mechanisms drive initial cerebral oxygenation dynamics during this critical period. These results confirm the capacity of newborns to develop multiple strategies to protect the brain.

Respiratory support after delayed cord clamping: a prospective cohort study of at-risk births at ≥35+0 weeks gestation

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors associated with delivery room respiratory support in at-risk infants who are initially vigorous and received delayed cord clamping (DCC).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Two perinatal centres in Melbourne, Australia.

PATIENTS

At-risk infants born at ≥35⁺⁰ weeks gestation with a paediatric doctor in attendance who were initially vigorous and received DCC for >60 s.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Delivery room respiratory support defined as facemask positive pressure ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure and/or supplemental oxygen within 10 min of birth.

RESULTS

Two hundred and ninety-eight infants born at a median (IQR) gestational age of 39⁺³ (38⁺²-40⁺²) weeks were included. Cord clamping occurred at a median (IQR) of 128 (123-145) s. Forty-four (15%) infants received respiratory support at a median of 214 (IQR 156-326) s after birth. Neonatal unit admission for respiratory distress occurred in 32% of infants receiving delivery room respiratory support vs 1% of infants who did not receive delivery room respiratory support (p<0.001). Risk factors independently associated with delivery room respiratory support were average heart rate (HR) at 90-120 s after birth (determined using three-lead ECG), mode of birth and time to establish regular cries. Decision tree analysis identified that infants at highest risk had an average HR of <165 beats per minute at 90-120 s after birth following caesarean section (risk of 39%). Infants with an average HR of ≥165 beats per minute at 90-120 s after birth were at low risk (5%).

CONCLUSIONS

We present a clinical decision pathway for at-risk infants who may benefit from close observation following DCC. Our findings provide a novel perspective of HR beyond the traditional threshold of 100 beats per minute.

Reviewing recordings of neonatal resuscitation with parents

BACKGROUND

Recording of neonatal resuscitation, including video and respiratory parameters, was implemented for research and quality purposes at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Leiden University Medical Center, and parents were offered to review the recording of their infant together with a neonatal care provider. We aimed to provide insight in parental experiences with reviewing the recording of the neonatal resuscitation of their premature infant.

METHODS

This study combined participant observations during parental review of recordings with retrospective qualitative interviews with parents.

RESULTS

Parental review of recordings of neonatal resuscitation was observed on 20 occasions, reviewing recordings of 31 children (12 singletons, 8 twins and 1 triplet), of whom 4 died during admission. Median (range) gestational age at birth was 27+5 (24+5-30+3) weeks. Subsequently, 25 parents (13 mothers and 12 fathers) were interviewed.Parents reported many positive experiences, with special emphasis on the value for getting hold of the start of their infant's life and coping with the trauma of neonatal resuscitation. Reviewing recordings of neonatal resuscitation frequently resulted in appreciation for the child, the father and the medical team. Timing and set-up of the review contributed to positive experiences. Parents considered screenshots/copies of the recording of the resuscitation of their infant as valuable keepsakes of their NICU story and reported that having the screenshots/video comforted them, especially when their child died during admission.

CONCLUSION

Parents consider reviewing recordings of neonatal resuscitation as valuable. These positive parental experiences could allay concerns about sharing recordings of neonatal resuscitation with parents.

Imaging the Respiratory Transition at Birth: Unraveling the Complexities of the First Breaths of Life

Rationale: The transition to air breathing at birth is a seminal respiratory event common to all humans, but the intrathoracic processes remain poorly understood. Objectives: The objectives of this prospective, observational study were to describe the spatiotemporal gas flow, aeration, and ventilation patterns within the lung in term neonates undergoing successful respiratory transition. Methods: Electrical impedance tomography was used to image intrathoracic volume patterns for every breath until 6 minutes from birth in neonates born by elective cesearean section and not needing resuscitation. Breaths were classified by video data, and measures of lung aeration, tidal flow conditions, and intrathoracic volume distribution calculated for each inflation. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 1,401 breaths from 17 neonates met all eligibility and data analysis criteria. Stable FRC was obtained by median (interquartile range) 43 (21-77) breaths. Breathing patterns changed from predominantly crying (80.9% first min) to tidal breathing (65.3% sixth min). From birth, tidal ventilation was not uniform within the lung, favoring the right and nondependent regions; P < 0.001 versus left and dependent regions (mixed-effects model). Initial crying created a unique volumetric pattern with delayed midexpiratory gas flow associated with intrathoracic volume redistribution (pendelluft flow) within the lung. This preserved FRC, especially within the dorsal and right regions. Conclusions: The commencement of air breathing at birth generates unique flow and volume states associated with marked spatiotemporal ventilation inhomogeneity not seen elsewhere in respiratory physiology. At birth, neonates innately brake expiratory flow to defend FRC gains and redistribute gas to less aerated regions.

Sustained Lung Inflation in Pre-term Infants at Birth: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) of pre-term infants may be associated with high rate of mortality and iatrogenic complications in low- and middle-income countries. Sustained lung inflation (SLI) may help to reduce their need for IMV.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial included 160 infants with gestational age (GA) ≥27 and ≤32 weeks who were randomly assigned to receive either SLI; using a pressure of 20 cmH2O for 15 s followed by nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 5 cmH2O or nasal CPAP alone, through an appropriate mask and a T-piece resuscitator. Primary outcome was the need for IMV in the first 72 h of life.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the primary outcome between SLI group; 55% (44 out of 80) and the control group; 65% (52 out of 80) [odds ratio (OR): 0.623, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33-1.18; p = 0.145]. However, SLI significantly reduced the primary outcome in the sicker infants; who had clinical eligibility criteria (CEC; OR: 0.224, 95% CI: 0.076-0.663; p = 0.005) and in the smaller babies; whose GA was <30 weeks (OR: 0.183, 95% CI: 0.053-0.635; p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

SLI was not harmful. Although, it did not lead to reduction in the need for IMV in the first 72 h of life in pre-term infants with GA ≥27 and ≤32 weeks, SLI reduced this outcome in the subgroup of infants with CEC and those with GA <30 weeks. Future trials are needed to investigate the effect of SLI on these two subgroups.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical trials.gov, NCT03518762. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03518762?term=NCT03518762&rank=1.

Accurate neonatal heart rate monitoring using a new wireless, cap mounted device

AIM

A device for newborn heart rate (HR) monitoring at birth that is compatible with delayed cord clamping and minimises hypothermia risk could have advantages over current approaches. We evaluated a wireless, cap mounted device (fhPPG) for monitoring neonatal HR.

METHODS

A total of 52 infants on the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and immediately following birth by elective caesarean section (ECS) were recruited. HR was monitored by electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse oximetry (PO) and the fhPPG device. Success rate, accuracy and time to output HR were compared with ECG as the gold standard. Standardised simulated data assessed the fhPPG algorithm accuracy.

RESULTS

Compared to ECG HR, the median bias (and 95% limits of agreement) for the NICU was fhPPG -0.6 (-5.6, 4.9) vs PO -0.3 (-6.3, 6.2) bpm, and ECS phase fhPPG -0.5 (-8.7, 7.7) vs PO -0.1 (-7.6, 7.1) bpm. In both settings, fhPPG and PO correlated with paired ECG HRs (both R²  = 0.89). The fhPPG HR algorithm during simulations demonstrated a near-linear correlation (n = 1266, R²  = 0.99).

CONCLUSION

Monitoring infants in the NICU and following ECS using a wireless, cap mounted device provides accurate HR measurements. This alternative approach could confer advantages compared with current methods of HR assessment and warrants further evaluation at birth.

Changing consumption of resources for respiratory support and short-term outcomes in four consecutive geographical cohorts of infants born extremely preterm over 25 years since the early 1990s

OBJECTIVES

It is unclear how newer methods of respiratory support for infants born extremely preterm (EP; 22-27 weeks gestation) have affected in-hospital sequelae. We aimed to determine changes in respiratory support, survival and morbidity in EP infants since the early 1990s.

DESIGN

Prospective longitudinal cohort study.

SETTING

The State of Victoria, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

All EP births offered intensive care in four discrete eras (1991-1992 (24 months): n=332, 1997 (12 months): n=190, 2005 (12 months): n=229, and April 2016-March 2017 (12 months): n=250).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Consumption of respiratory support, survival and morbidity to discharge home. Cost-effectiveness ratios describing the average additional days of respiratory support associated per additional survivor were calculated.

RESULTS

Median duration of any respiratory support increased from 22 days (1991-1992) to 66 days (2016-2017). The increase occurred in non-invasive respiratory support (2 days (1991-1992) to 51 days (2016-2017)), with high-flow nasal cannulae, unavailable in earlier cohorts, comprising almost one-half of the duration in 2016-2017. Survival to discharge home increased (68% (1991-1992) to 87% (2016-2017)). Cystic periventricular leukomalacia decreased (6.3% (1991-1992) to 1.2% (2016-2017)), whereas retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment increased (4.0% (1991-1992) to 10.0% (2016-2017)). The average additional costs associated with one additional infant surviving in 2016-2017 were 200 (95% CI 150 to 297) days, 326 (183 to 1127) days and 130 (70 to 267) days compared with 1991-1992, 1997 and 2005, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Consumption of resources for respiratory support has escalated with improved survival over time. Cystic periventricular leukomalacia reduced in incidence but retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment increased. How these changes translate into long-term respiratory or neurological function remains to be determined.

Neonatal transitional support with intact umbilical cord in assisted vaginal deliveries: a quality-improvement cohort study

BACKGROUND

Deferring cord clamping has proven benefits for both term and preterm infants, and recent studies have demonstrated better cardio-respiratory stability if clamping is based on the infant's physiology, and whether the infant has breathed. Nevertheless, current guidelines for neonatal resuscitation still recommend early cord clamping (ECC) for compromised babies, unless equipment and competent personnel to resuscitate the baby are available at the mother's bedside. The objective of this quality improvement cohort study was to evaluate whether implementing a new delivery room protocol involving mobile resuscitation equipment (LifeStart™) reduced the prevalence of ECC in assisted vaginal deliveries.

METHODS

Data on cord clamping and transitional care were collected 8 months before and 8 months after implementing the new protocol. The Model for Improvement was applied to identify drivers and obstacles to practice change. Statistical Process Control analysis was used to demonstrate signals of improvement, and whether these changes were sustainable. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the impact of the new protocol on the primary outcome, adjusted for possible confounders.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of ECC dropped from 13 to 1% (P < 0.01), with a 98% relative risk reduction for infants needing transitional support on a resuscitation table (adjusted OR 0.02, P < 0.001). Mean cord clamping time increased by 43% (p < 0.001). Although fewer infants were placed directly on mothers' chest (n = 43 [42%] vs n = 69 [75.0%], P < 0.001), there were no significant differences in needs for immediate transitional care or transfers to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. A pattern of improvement was seen already before the intervention, especially after mandatory educational sessions and cross-professional simulation training.

CONCLUSIONS

A new delivery-room protocol involving mobile resuscitation equipment successfully eliminated early cord clamping in assisted vaginal deliveries of term and near-term infants. A systematic approach, like the Model for Improvement, seemed crucial for both achieving and sustaining the desired results.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was approved as a service evaluation as defined by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics ( 2018/1755/REK midt ).

Interfaces for non-invasive neonatal resuscitation in the delivery room: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review of trials comparing interfaces for delivering non-invasive PPV to a newborn in the delivery room (DR).

METHODS

MEDLINE, PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL and COCHRANE databases were searched on March 1, 2020 and 2826 articles were screened. The review was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Primary outcomes were intubation in the DR and mortality. Secondary outcomes were chest compressions, intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and mask leak.

RESULTS

Five randomized-control trials were eligible for inclusion. Sample size and gestational age varied amongst the trials, ranging from 56 to 617 infants and 24-39 weeks' respectively. Three trials compared nasal cannulae (NC) with face masks (FMs). Pooled analysis showed that NC were associated with a decreased use of chest compressions (RR 0.2 (95% CI 0.08-0.47). A reduction in rate of intubation in the DR was statistically significant only in the trial in which bi-nasal rather than single nasal cannulae were used (RR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02-0.44). However, there was no important difference in mortality (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.47-1.13). Two trials compared different FM models (Laerdal versus Fisher & Paykel and Laerdal versus Resusi-sure) and both found no significant difference in primary and secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

There is little high-quality evidence to guide clinicians choosing an interface to provide PPV during newborn resuscitation. Nasal interfaces, particularly binasal cannulae, appear to offer some advantages over FMs but need further testing in larger, well designed trials.

STUDY REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020151870.

Identifying women giving birth preterm and care at the time of birth: a prospective audit of births at six hospitals in India, Kenya, Pakistan and Uganda

Background

Globally, 15 million infants are born preterm each year, and 1 million die due to complications of prematurity. Over 60% of preterm births occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. Care at birth for premature infants may be critical for survival and long term outcome. We conducted a prospective audit to assess whether women giving birth preterm could be identified, and to describe cord clamping and neonatal care at hospitals in Africa and south Asia.

Methods

This prospective audit of livebirths was conducted at six hospitals in Uganda, Kenya, India and Pakistan. Births were considered preterm if between 28^+ 0 and 33^+ 6 weeks gestation and/or the birthweight was 1.00 to 1.99 kg. A pre-specified audit plan was agreed with each hospital. Livebirths before 28 weeks gestation with birthweight less than 1.0 kg were excluded. Data were collected on estimated and actual gestation and birthweight, cord clamping, and neonatal care.

Results

Of 4149 women who gave birth during the audit, data were available for 3687 (90%). As 107 were multiple births, 3781 livebirths were included, of which 257 (7%) were preterm. Antenatal assessment correctly identified 148 infants as ‘preterm’ and 3429 as ‘term’, giving a positive predictive value of 72% and negative predictive value of 97%. For term births, cord clamping was usually later at the two Ugandan hospitals, median time to clamping 50 and 76 s, compared with 23 at Kenyatta (Kenya), 7 at CMC (India) and 12 at FBH/LNH (Pakistan). At the latter two, timing was similar between term and preterm births, and between vaginal and Caesarean births. For all the hospitals, the cord was clamped quickly at Caesarean births, with Mbale (Uganda) having the highest median time to clamping (15 s ‘term’, 19 ‘preterm’). For preterm infants temperature on admission to the neonatal unit was below 35.5 °C for 50%, and 59 (23%) died before hospital discharge.

Conclusions

Antenatal identification of preterm birth was good. Timing of cord clamping varied between hospitals, although at each there was no difference between ‘term’ and ‘preterm’ births. For premature infants hypothermia was common, and mortality before hospital discharge was high.

Cortical Gray Matter Injury in Encephalopathy of Prematurity: Link to Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Preterm-born infants frequently suffer from an array of neurological damage, collectively termed encephalopathy of prematurity (EoP). They also have an increased risk of presenting with a neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g., autism spectrum disorder; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) later in life. It is hypothesized that it is the gray matter injury to the cortex, in addition to white matter injury, in EoP that is responsible for the altered behavior and cognition in these individuals. However, although it is established that gray matter injury occurs in infants following preterm birth, the exact nature of these changes is not fully elucidated. Here we will review the current state of knowledge in this field, amalgamating data from both clinical and preclinical studies. This will be placed in the context of normal processes of developmental biology and the known pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Novel diagnostic and therapeutic tactics required integration of this information so that in the future we can combine mechanism-based approaches with patient stratification to ensure the most efficacious and cost-effective clinical practice.

Umbilical cord arterial blood gas analysis in term singleton pregnancies: a retrospective analysis over 11 years

Objective

Given that the large volume of data on cord arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) have been rarely addressed in Korean population, we aimed to examine the incidence, associated factors, and neonatal outcomes in cases of low cord pH, and investigate the incidence of cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods

From data of all consecutive term singleton pregnancies delivered in our institution from 2006 to 2016 (n=15,701), cases with cord ABGA (n=14,221) available were included. We collected information on maternal clinical characteristics and delivery outcomes and also examined neonatal and infant outcomes, including neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and CP, in cases with low cord pH, defined as a pH <7.1.

Results

Rates of low Apgar scores at 1 minute (<4) and 5 minutes (<7) were 0.6% (n=79) and 0.4% (n=58), respectively. Rates of cord pH <7.2, <7.1, and <7.0 were 7.1% (n=1,011), 1.1% (n=163), and 0.3% (n=38), respectively. Among cases with low cord pH, 30.1% (n=49/163) were admitted to the NICU and 11.0% (n=18/163) required ventilator support. Ultrasonography of the brain was performed in 28.8% (n=47/163), with abnormal findings observed in 27.7% (n=13/47). Among cases with low cord pH, 1.8% (n=3/163) were subsequently diagnosed with CP, including 2 cases of spastic CP and 1 of ataxic CP.

Conclusion

Although low cord pH was a relatively frequent finding observed in 1 out of every 87 cases, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy-related CP was found in only 1 out of 7,111 term singleton deliveries over 11 years in our institution.

Defining information needs in neonatal resuscitation with work domain analysis

OBJECTIVE

To gain a deeper understanding of the information requirements of clinicians conducting neonatal resuscitation in the first 10 min after birth.

BACKGROUND

During the resuscitation of a newborn infant in the first minutes after birth, clinicians must monitor crucial physiological adjustments that are relatively unobservable, unpredictable, and highly variable. Clinicians' access to information regarding the physiological status of the infant is also crucial to determining which interventions are most appropriate. To design displays to support clinicians during newborn resuscitation, we must first carefully consider the information requirements.

METHODS

We conducted a work domain analysis (WDA) for the neonatal transition in the first 10 min after birth. We split the work domain into two 'subdomains'; the physiology of the neonatal transition, and the clinical resources supporting the neonatal transition. A WDA can reveal information requirements that are not yet supported by resources.

RESULTS

The physiological WDA acted as a conceptual tool to model the exact processes and functions that clinicians must monitor and potentially support during the neonatal transition. Importantly, the clinical resources WDA revealed several capabilities and limitations of the physical objects in the work domain-ultimately revealing which physiological functions currently have no existing sensor to provide clinicians with information regarding their status.

CONCLUSION

We propose two potential approaches to improving the clinician's information environment: (1) developing new sensors for the information we lack, and (2) employing principles of ecological interface design to present currently available information to the clinician in a more effective way.

Deferred consent for delivery room studies: the providers' perspective

OBJECTIVE

To gain insight into neonatal care providers' perceptions of deferred consent for delivery room (DR) studies in actual scenarios.

METHODS

We conducted semistructured interviews with 46 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) staff members of the Leiden University Medical Center (the Netherlands) and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (USA). At the time interviews were conducted, both NICUs conducted the same DR studies, but differed in their consent approaches. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using the qualitative data analysis software Atlas.ti V.7.0.

RESULTS

Although providers reported to regard the prospective consent approach as the most preferable consent approach, they acknowledged that a deferred consent approach is needed for high-quality DR management. However, providers reported concerns about parental autonomy, approaching parents for consent and ethical review of study protocols that include a deferred consent approach. Providers furthermore differed in perceived appropriateness of a deferred consent approach for the studies that were being conducted at their NICUs. Providers with first-hand experience with deferred consent reported positive experiences that they attributed to appropriate communication and timing of approaching parents for consent.

CONCLUSION

Insight into providers' perceptions of deferred consent for DR studies in actual scenarios suggests that a deferred consent approach is considered acceptable, but that actual usage of the approach for DR studies can be improved on.

Educational Perspectives: Toward More Effective Neonatal Resuscitation: Assessing and Improving Clinical Skills

Newborn deaths following birth asphyxia remain a significant global problem, and effective resuscitation by well-trained professionals may reduce mortality and morbidity. Clinicians are often responsible for teaching newborn resuscitation to trainees. Multiple educational methods are used to teach these skills, but data supporting their efficacy are limited. Mask ventilation and chest compressions are considered the basics of resuscitation. These technical motor skills are critically important but difficult to teach and often not objectively assessed. Teaching more advanced skills such as neonatal intubation is challenging, because teaching opportunities and working hours of learners have declined. Videolaryngoscopy appears to be an effective teaching tool that allows instruction during clinical practice. There is also emerging recognition that effective resuscitation requires more than individual clinical skills. The importance of teamwork and leadership is now recognized, and teamwork training should be incorporated because it improves these nontechnical skills. Simulation training has become increasingly popular as a method of teaching both technical and nontechnical skills. However, there are unanswered questions about the validity, fidelity, and content of simulation. Formal resuscitation programs usually incorporate a mixture of teaching modalities and appear to reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income countries. Emerging teaching techniques such as tele-education, video debriefing, and high-frequency training warrant further investigation.

Oxygen Supplementation During Preterm Stabilization and the Relevance of the First 5 min After Birth

Fetal to neonatal transition entails cardiorespiratory, hemodynamic, and metabolic changes coinciding with the switch from placental to airborne respiration with partial pressures of oxygen of 4-5 kPa in utero raising to 8-9 kPa ex utero in few minutes. Preterm infants have immature lung and antioxidant defense system. Very preterm infants (<32 weeks' gestation) frequently require positive pressure ventilation and oxygen to establish lung aeration, a functional residual capacity, and overcome a tendency toward hypoxemia and bradycardia in the first minutes after birth. Recent studies have shown that prolonged bradycardia (heart rate <100 beats per minute) and/or hypoxemia (oxygen saturation <80%) are associated with increased mortality and/or intracranial hemorrhage. However, despite the accumulated evidence, the way in which oxygen should be supplemented in the first minutes after birth still has not yet been clearly established. The initial inspired fraction of oxygen and its adjustment within a safe arterial oxygen saturation range measured by pulse oximetry that avoids hyper-or-hypoxia is still a matter of debate. Herewith, we present a current summary aiming to assist the practical neonatologist who has to aerate the lung and establish an efficacious respiration in very preterm infants in the delivery room.

Management of Multi Organ Dysfunction in Neonatal Encephalopathy

Neonatal Encephalopathy (NE) describes neonates with disturbed neurological function in the first post-natal days of life. NE is an overall term that does not specify the etiology of the encephalopathy although it often involves hypoxia-ischaemia. In NE, although neurological dysfunction is part of the injury and is most predictive of long-term outcome, these infants may also have multiorgan injury and compromise, which further contribute to neurological impairment and long-term morbidities. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the standard of care for moderate to severe NE. Infants with NE may have co-existing immune, respiratory, endocrine, renal, hepatic, and cardiac dysfunction that require individualized management and can be impacted by TH. Non-neurological organ dysfunction not only has a negative effect on long term outcome but may also influence the efficacy of treatments in the acute phase. Post resuscitative care involves stabilization and decisions regarding TH and management of multi-organ dysfunction. This management includes detailed neurological assessment, cardio-respiratory stabilization, glycaemic and fluid control, sepsis evaluation and antibiotics, seizure identification, and monitoring and responding to biochemical and coagulation derangements. The emergence of new biomarkers of specific organ injury may have predictive value and improve the definition of organ injury and prognosis. Further evidence-based research is needed to optimize management of NE, prevent further organ dysfunction and reduce neurodevelopmental impairment.

Compliance with Guidelines and Efficacy of Heart Rate Monitoring during Newborn Resuscitation: A Prospective Video Study

OBJECTIVE

Newborn resuscitation guidelines recommend initial assessment of heart rate (HR) and initiation of positive pressure ventilation (PPV) within 60 s after birth in non-breathing newborns. Pulse oximeter (PO) and electrocardiogram (ECG) are suggested methods for continuous HR monitoring during resuscitation. Our aim was to evaluate compliance with guidelines and the efficacy of PO versus ECG monitoring in real-life newborn resuscitations.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, we video recorded resuscitations of newborns ≥34 weeks of gestation receiving PPV at birth.

RESULTS

104 resuscitations were analysed. Median (IQR) time from birth to arrival at the resuscitation bay was 48 (22-68) s (n = 62), to initial HR assessment 70 (47-118) s (n = 61), and to initiation of PPV 78 (42-118) s (n = 62). Initial HR assessment (stethoscope or palpation) and initiation of PPV were achieved within 60 s for 35% of the resuscitated newborns. Time to initial HR assessment and initiating PPV was significantly longer following vaginal deliveries than caesarean sections: 84 (70-139) versus 44 (30-66) s (p < 0.001) and 93 (73-139) versus 38 (30-66) s (p < 0.001). Time from birth and sensor application to provision of a reliable HR signal from PO versus ECG was 348 (217-524) (n = 42) versus 174 (105-277) s (n = 30) (p < 0.001) and 199 (77-352) (n = 65) versus 16 (11-22) s (n = 52) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Initial HR assessment and initiation of PPV were achieved within 60 s after birth in only 1/3 of newborn resuscitations. When applied for continuous HR monitoring, ECG was superior to PO in time to achieve reliable HR signals in real-life resuscitations.

The Resuscitation of Apparently Stillborn Neonates: A Peek Into the Practice in China

Apparently stillborn neonates are born in the terminal stage of secondary apnoea and respond poorly to basic resuscitation procedures proposed by the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). Increasing experimental and clinical evidence shows that stringently adhering to the NRP guidelines may delay sufficient ventilation and chest compressions and consequently prolong the duration of asystole in apparently stillborn neonates. To add to this information, we summarized our experience with the resuscitation of apparently stillborn neonates and reported the neonatal outcomes in a cohort of apparently stillborn neonates resuscitated at a tertiary care center in China.

Aeration strategy at birth influences the physiological response to surfactant in preterm lambs

BACKGROUND

The influence of pressure strategies to promote lung aeration at birth on the subsequent physiological response to exogenous surfactant therapy has not been investigated.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effect of sustained inflation (SI) and a dynamic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) manoeuvre at birth on the subsequent physiological response to exogenous surfactant therapy in preterm lambs.

METHODS

Steroid-exposed preterm lambs (124-127 days' gestation; n=71) were randomly assigned from birth to either (1) positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) with no recruitment manoeuvre; (2) SI until stable aeration; or (3) 3 min dynamic stepwise PEEP strategy (maximum 14-20 cmH₂O; dynamic PEEP (DynPEEP)), followed by PPV for 60 min using a standardised protocol. Surfactant (200 mg/kg poractant alfa) was administered at 10 min. Dynamic compliance, gas exchange and regional ventilation and aeration characteristics (electrical impedance tomography) were measured throughout and compared between groups, and with a historical group (n=38) managed using the same strategies without surfactant.

RESULTS

Compliance increased after surfactant only in the DynPEEP group (p<0.0001, repeated measures analysis of variance), being 0.17 (0.10, 0.23) mL/kg/cmH₂O higher at 60 min than the SI group. An SI resulted in the least uniform aeration, and unlike the no-recruitment and DynPEEP groups, the distribution of aeration and tidal ventilation did not improve with surfactant. All groups had similar improvements in oxygenation post-surfactant compared with the corresponding groups not treated with surfactant.

CONCLUSIONS

A DynPEEP strategy at birth may improve the response to early surfactant therapy, whereas rapid lung inflation with SI creates non-uniform aeration that appears to inhibit surfactant efficacy.

Respiratory monitors to teach newborn facemask ventilation: a randomised trial

OBJECTIVE

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation has found that there is a need for high-quality randomised trials of training interventions that improve the effectiveness of resuscitation skills. The objective of this study was to determine whether using a respiratory function monitor (RFM) during mask ventilation training with a manikin reduces facemask leak.

DESIGN

Stratified, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial. Outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation.

SETTING

Thirteen hospitals in Australia, including non-tertiary sites.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive sample of healthcare professionals attending a structured newborn resuscitation training course.

INTERVENTIONS

An RFM providing real-time, objective, leak, flow and volume information was attached to the facemask during 1.5 hours of newborn ventilation and simulation training using a manikin. Participants were randomised to have the RFM display visible (intervention) or masked (control), using a computer-generated randomisation sequence.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was facemask leak measured after neonatal facemask ventilation training. Tidal volume was an important secondary outcome measure.

RESULTS

Participants were recruited from May 2016 to November 2017. Of 402 eligible participants, two refused consent. Four hundred were randomised, 200 to each group, of whom 194 in each group underwent analysis. The median (IQR) facemask leak was 23% (8%-41%) in the RFM visible group compared with 35% (14%-67%) in the masked group, p<0.0001, difference (95% CI) in medians 12 (4 to 22).

CONCLUSIONS

The display of information from an RFM improved the effectiveness of newborn facemask ventilation training.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12616000542493, pre-results.

Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping and other strategies to influence placental transfusion at preterm birth on maternal and infant outcomes

BACKGROUND

Infants born preterm (before 37 weeks' gestation) have poorer outcomes than infants at term, particularly if born before 32 weeks. Early cord clamping has been standard practice over many years, and enables quick transfer of the infant to neonatal care. Delayed clamping allows blood flow between the placenta, umbilical cord and baby to continue, and may aid transition. Keeping baby at the mother's side enables neonatal care with the cord intact and this, along with delayed clamping, may improve outcomes. Umbilical cord milking (UCM) is proposed for increasing placental transfusion when immediate care for the preterm baby is needed. This Cochrane Review is a further update of a review first published in 2004 and updated in 2012.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects on infants born at less than 37 weeks' gestation, and their mothers of: 1) delayed cord clamping (DCC) compared with early cord clamping (ECC) both with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping; 2) DCC with immediate neonatal care with cord intact compared with ECC with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping; 3) DCC with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping compared with UCM; 4) UCM compared with ECC with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (10 November 2017), and reference lists of retrieved studies. We updated the search in November 2018 and added nine new trial reports to the awaiting classification section to be assessed at the next update.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing delayed with early clamping of the umbilical cord (with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping or with cord intact) and UCM for births before 37 weeks' gestation. Quasi-RCTs were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. Random-effects are used in all meta-analyses. Review authors assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

This update includes forty-eight studies, involving 5721 babies and their mothers, with data available from 40 studies involving 4884 babies and their mothers. Babies were between 24 and 36+6 weeks' gestation at birth and multiple births were included. The data are mostly from high-income countries. Delayed clamping ranged between 30 to 180 seconds, with most studies delaying for 30 to 60 seconds. Early clamping was less than 30 seconds and often immediate. UCM was mostly before cord clamping but some were milked after cord clamping. We undertook subgroup analysis by gestation and type of intervention, and sensitivity analyses by low risk of selection and attrition bias.All studies were high risk for performance bias and many were unclear for other aspects of risk of bias. Certainty of the evidence using GRADE was mostly low, mainly due to imprecision and unclear risk of bias.Delayed cord clamping (DCC) versus early cord clamping (ECC) both with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping (25 studies, 3100 babies and their mothers)DCC probably reduces the number of babies who die before discharge compared with ECC (average risk ratio (aRR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 0.98, 20 studies, 2680 babies (moderate certainty)).No studies reported on 'Death or neurodevelopmental impairment' in the early years'.DCC may make little or no difference to the number of babies with severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH grades 3 and 4) (aRR 0.94, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.39, 10 studies, 2058 babies, low certainty) but slightly reduces the number of babies with any grade IVH (aRR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.99, 15 studies, 2333 babies, high certainty).DCC has little or no effect on chronic lung disease (CLD) (aRR 1.04, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.14, 6 studies, 1644 babies, high certainty).Due to insufficient data, we were unable to form conclusions regarding periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) (aRR 0.58, 95% CI 0.26 to 1.30, 4 studies, 1544 babies, low certainty) or maternal blood loss of 500 mL or greater (aRR 1.14, 95% CI 0.07 to 17.63, 2 studies, 180 women, very low certainty).We identified no important heterogeneity in subgroup or sensitivity analyses.Delayed cord clamping (DCC) with immediate neonatal care with cord intact versus early cord clamping (ECC) (one study, 276 babies and their mothers)There are insufficient data to be confident in our findings, but DCC with immediate neonatal care with cord intact may reduce the number of babies who die before discharge, although the data are also compatible with a slight increase in mortality, compared with ECC (aRR 0.47, 95% CI 0.20 to 1.11, 1 study, 270 babies, low certainty). DCC may also reduce the number of babies who die or have neurodevelopmental impairment in early years (aRR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.96, 1 study, 218 babies, low certainty). There may be little or no difference in: severe IVH; all grades IVH; PVL; CLD; maternal blood loss ≥ 500 mL, assessed as low certainty mainly due to serious imprecision.Delayed cord clamping (DCC) with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping versus umbilical cord milking (UCM) (three studies, 322 babies and their mothers) and UCM versus early cord clamping (ECC) (11 studies, 1183 babies and their mothers)There are insufficient data for reliable conclusions about the comparative effects of UCM compared with delayed or early clamping (mostly low or very low certainty).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Delayed, rather than early, cord clamping may reduce the risk of death before discharge for babies born preterm. There is insufficient evidence to show what duration of delay is best, one or several minutes, and therefore the optimum time to clamp the umbilical cord remains unclear. Whilst the current evidence supports not clamping the cord before 30 seconds at preterm births, future trials could compare different lengths of delay. Immediate neonatal care with the cord intact requires further study, and there are insufficient data on UCM.The nine new reports awaiting further classification may alter the conclusions of the review once assessed.

Benefits of recording and reviewing neonatal resuscitation: the providers' perspective

OBJECTIVE

To assess benefits of recording and reviewing neonatal resuscitation as experienced by neonatal care providers.

DESIGN

A qualitative study using semistructured interviews questioning neonatal care providers about their experiences with recording and reviewing neonatal resuscitation. Data were analysed using the qualitative data analysis software Atlas.ti V.7.0.

SETTING

Neonatal care providers working at neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of the Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, USA, participated in this study.

RESULTS

In total, 48 NICU staff members were interviewed. Reported experiences and attitudes are broadly similar for both NICUs. All interviewed providers reported positive experiences and benefits, with special emphasis on educational benefits. Recording and reviewing neonatal resuscitation is used for various learning activities, such as plenary review meetings and as tool for objective feedback. Providers reported to learn from reviewing their own performance during resuscitation, as well as from reviewing performances of others. Improved time perception, reflection on guideline compliance and acting less invasively during resuscitations were often mentioned as learning outcomes. All providers would recommend other NICUs to implement recording and reviewing neonatal resuscitation, as it is a powerful tool for learning and improving. However, they emphasised preconditions for successful implementation, such as providing information, not being punitive and focusing on the benefits for learning and improving.

CONCLUSION

Recording and reviewing neonatal resuscitation is considered highly beneficial for learning and improving resuscitation skills and is recommended by providers participating in it.

Current insights in non-invasive ventilation for the treatment of neonatal respiratory disease

Deleterious consequences of the management of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) with invasive ventilation have led to more in-depth investigation of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) modalities. NIV has significantly and positively altered the treatment outcomes and improved mortality rates of preterm infants with RDS. Among the different NIV modes, nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) has shown considerable benefits compared to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP). Despite reports of heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula’s (HHHFNC) non-inferiority compared to NCPAP, some trials have been terminated due to high treatment failure rates with HHHFNC use. Moreover, RDS management with the combination of INSURE (INtubation SURfactant Extubation) technique and NIV ensures higher success rates. This review elaborates on the currently used various modes of NIV and novel techniques are also briefly discussed.

Neuroprotection of the preterm brain

Despite notable advances in the care and survival of preterm infants, a significant proportion of preterm neonates will have life-long cognitive, behavioral, and motor deficits, and robustly effective neuroprotective strategies are still missing. These therapies must target the pathophysiologic mechanisms observed in contemporaneous infants and rely on modern epidemiology, imaging, and experimental models and assessment techniques. Two drugs, magnesium sulfate and caffeine, are already in use in several units, and although their targets are apnea of prematurity and myometrial contractility (respectively), they do offer improved odds of positive outcomes. Nevertheless, these drugs have limited efficacy, and NICU-to-NICU administration varies greatly. As such, there is an obvious need for additional specific neurotherapeutic strategies to further enhance the outcome of this very fragile population of neonates. The chapter reviews these issues, highlights bottlenecks that need to be solved for meaningful progress in the field, and proposes future innovative avenues for intervention, including delayed interventions.

Successful implementation of an intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) bundle in reducing severe ICH: a quality improvement project

OBJECTIVE

Our specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-limited (SMART) aim was to reduce the incidence of severe intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) among preterm infants born <30 weeks' gestation from a baseline of 24% (January 2012-December 2013) to a long-term average of 11% by December 2015.

STUDY DESIGN

We instituted an ICH bundle consisting of elements of the "golden hour" (delayed cord clamping, optimized cardiopulmonary resuscitation, improved thermoregulation) and provision of cluster care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We identified key drivers to achieve our SMART aims, and implemented quality improvement (QI) cycles: initiation of the ICH bundle, education of NICU staff, and emphasis on sustained adherence. We excluded infants born outside our facility and those with congenital anomalies.

RESULTS

Using statistical process control analysis (p-chart), the ICH bundle was associated with successful reduction in severe ICH (grade 3-4) in our NICU from a prebundle rate of 24% (January 2012-December 2013) to a sustained reduction over the next 4 years to an average rate of 9.7% by December 2017. Results during 2016-2017 showed a sustained improvement beyond the goal for 2014-2015. Over the same interval, there was improvement in admission temperatures [median 36.1 °C (interquartile range: 35.3-36.7 °C) vs. 37.1 °C (36.8-37.5 °C), p < 0.01] and a decrease in mortality rate [pre: 16/117 (14%) vs. post: 16/281 (6%), P < 0.01].

CONCLUSION

Our multidisciplinary QI initiative decreased severe ICH in our institution from a baseline rate of 24% to a lower rate of 9.7% over the ensuing 4 years. Intensive focus on sustained implementation of an ICH bundle protocol consisting of improved delivery room management, thermoregulation, and clustered care in the NICU was temporally associated with a clinically significant reduction in severe ICH.

Newborn resuscitation in Gombe State, northeastern Nigeria

Background

Basic newborn resuscitation for babies not breathing at birth is a highly effective intervention and its scale-up identified as a top research priority. However, tracking progress on the scale-up and coverage of this intervention is compromised by limitations in measuring both the number of newborns receiving the intervention and the number of newborns requiring the intervention. Using data from a facility and birth attendant survey in Gombe State, Nigeria, we aimed to advance the measurement agenda by developing a proxy indicator defined as the "percent of newborns born in a facility with the potential to provide newborn resuscitation".

Methods

The indicator's denominator was defined as: the total number of births in facilities during a defined time period (facility records). The numerator was constructed from the number of those births that occurred in appropriately equipped facilities (facility inventory), where a birth attendant demonstrated basic resuscitation competence (assessed by a simulation exercise). The proportion of facility-births that took place in a setting with the potential to provide newborn resuscitation was then calculated.

Results

The analysis included 17 383 births that occurred during May-October 2015 in 117 primary and referral facilities surveyed in November 2015. Overall 81% of the facilities did not have all items of essential equipment required for resuscitation; the items of equipment least frequently present included a timing device and resuscitation bag with two sizes of neonatal face mask. Only 3% of 117 birth attendants interviewed demonstrated competence to undertake resuscitation, all of whom were classified as skilled attendants and worked in referral facilities. We found that 20% of the 17 383 births took place in a facility with the potential to provide lifesaving resuscitation care.

Conclusions

The indicator definition of neonatal resuscitation presented here responds to the need to advance the measurement agenda for newborn care and importantly adjusts for the volume of births occurring in different facilities. Its application in this setting revealed substantial missed opportunities to providing lifesaving care and highlights the need for a greater focus on input as well as process quality in all levels of health facilities.

Ginkgolide B ameliorates NLRP3 inflammasome activation after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in the neonatal male rat

INTRODUCTION

Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) insult is an important cause of brain injury in neonates. The development of novel treatment strategies for neonates with HI brain injury is urgently needed. Ginkgolide B (GB) is a main component of Ginkgo biloba extracts with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. However, it is unknown whether GB could play a protective role in hypoxic stress in immature animals.

METHODS

Using neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury model of rat pups, neurological score, infarct size, and brain edema were evaluated after HI injury. The activation of microglia and the production of IL-1β and IL-18 were detected by immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively. A priming signal (NF-κB P65) and an activation signal (Caspase-1) of NLRP3 inflammasome activation were detected by western blot analyses.

RESULTS

GB administrated 30 min prior to ischemia induction can improve neurological disorder, reduce infarct volume and alleviate cerebral edema. Compared with the HI groups, GB inhibited the activation of microglia and decreased the production of IL-1β and IL-18 in neocortex. Furthermore, GB reduced NLRP3 expression mainly in microglia, and significantly inhibited the expression of Caspase-1 and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB P65, preventing NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

CONCLUSIONS

GB ameliorates hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in the neonatal male rat via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

The Combination of Human Urinary Kallidinogenase and Mild Hypothermia Protects Adult Rats Against Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy-Induced Injury by Promoting Angiogenesis and Regeneration

Objectives: Human Urinary Kallidinogenase (HUK) is a tissue kallikrein that plays neuroprotective role in ischemic conditions via different mechanisms. Mild hypothermia (MH) is another robust neuroprotectant that reduces mortality but does not profoundly ameliorate the neurological outcome in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) patients. However, whether the combination of HUK and MH can be used as a promising neuroprotective treatment in HIE is unknown. Methods: One-hundred and forty-four adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham, HIE, HUK, MH and a combination of HUK and MH treatment. The HIE rat model was established by right carotid dissection followed by hypoxia aspiration. The survival curve was created within 7 days, and the neurological severity scores (NSS) were assessed at days 0, 1, 3, and 7. Nissl staining, Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL), immunofluorescent staining and western blotting were used to evaluate neuronal survival, apoptosis and necrosis, tight-junction proteins Claudin-1 and Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), doublecortex (DCX), bradykinin receptor B1 (BDKRB1), BDKRB2 and Ki67 staining. Results: The combined treatment rescued all HIE rats from death and had a best survival curve compared to HIE. The Combination also reduced the NSS scores after HIE at days 7, better than HUK or MH alone. The combination of HUK and MH reserved more cells in Nissl staining and inhibited neuronal apoptosis and necrosis as well as significantly attenuated HIE-induced decreases in claudin-1, ZO-1, cyclin D1 and BDKRB1/B2 in comparison to HUK or MH treatment alone. Moreover, the combined treatment increased the expression of VEGF and DCX as well as the number of Ki67-labeled cells. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that both HUK and MH are neuroprotective after HIE insult; however, the combined therapy with HUK and MH enhanced the efficiency and efficacy of either therapy alone in the treatment of HIE, at least partially by promoting angiogenesis and regeneration and rescuing tight-junction loss. The combination of HUK and MH seems to be a feasible and promising clinical strategy to alleviate cerebral injury following HIE insult. Highlights: -The combination of HUK and MH distinctly reduces neurological dysfunction in HIE rats.-HUK enhances the neuroprotective effects of MH in HIE.-MH attenuates tight-junction disruption, upregulates the BDKR B1/2, DCX and cyclin D1.-The combination of MH and HUK enhances the expressions of MH/HUK mediated-BDKR B1/2, DCX, cyclin D1 and Ki67 positive cells.

Mask Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy with Simultaneous Extrauterine Placental Transfusion for Resuscitation of Preterm Infants - A Preliminary Study

Background

Delayed cord clamping or cord milking improves cardiovascular stability and outcome of preterm infants. However, both techniques may delay initiation of respiratory support. To allow lung aeration during cord blood transfusion, we implemented an extrauterine placental transfusion (EPT) approach. This study aimed to provide a detailed description of the EPT procedure and to evaluate its impact on the outcome of infants.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed comprising 60 preterm infants (22^0/7 to 31^6/7 weeks of gestation). Of these, 40 were transferred to the resuscitation unit with the placenta still connected to the infant. In this EPT group, continuous positive airway pressure support was initiated while, simultaneously, placental blood was transfused by holding the placenta 40-50 cm above the infant's heart. The cords of another 20 infants were clamped before respiratory support was started (standard group). Data on the infants' outcome were compared retrospectively. In a subgroup of 22 infants (n = 14 EPT, n = 8 standard), respiratory function monitor recordings were performed and both heart rates and SpO₂ levels in the first 10 min of life were compared between groups.

Results

Although infants in the EPT group were lighter (EPT: 875 ± 355 g, standard: 1,117 ± 389 g; p = 0.02) and younger (26^6/7 weeks ± 19 days vs. 28^2/7 weeks ± 18 days; p = 0.045), there was no difference in neonatal outcome, including the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary disease, and red blood cell transfusions (all p > 0.1). Moreover, no differences in SpO₂ levels and heart rates were observed in the infants whose resuscitations were recorded using a respiratory function monitor.

Conclusions

In this retrospective analysis, EPT had no negative effects on the outcome of the infants, which warrants further evaluation in prospective randomized studies.

Tissue regeneration using endothelial colony-forming cells: promising cells for vascular repair

Repairing and rebuilding damaged tissue in diseased human subjects remains a daunting challenge for clinical medicine. Proper vascular formation that serves to deliver blood-borne nutrients and adequate levels of oxygen and to remove wastes is critical for successful tissue regeneration. Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFC) represent a promising cell source for revascularization of damaged tissue. ECFCs are identified by displaying a hierarchy of clonal proliferative potential and by pronounced postnatal vascularization ability in vivo. In this review, we provide a brief overview of human ECFC isolation and characterization, a survey of a number of animal models of human disease in which ECFCs have been shown to have prominent roles in tissue repair, and a summary of current challenges that must be overcome before moving ECFC into human subjects as a cell therapy.

Delayed vs early umbilical cord clamping for preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The effects of delayed cord clamping of the umbilical cord in preterm infants are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to compare the effects of delayed vs early cord clamping on hospital mortality (primary outcome) and morbidity in preterm infants using Cochrane Collaboration neonatal review group methodology.

STUDY DESIGN

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Chinese articles, cross-referencing citations, expert informants, and trial registries to July 31, 2017, for randomized controlled trials of delayed (≥30 seconds) vs early (<30 seconds) clamping in infants born <37 weeks' gestation. Before searching the literature, we specified that trials estimated to have cord milking in >20% of infants in any arm would be ineligible. Two reviewers independently selected studies, assessed bias, and extracted data. Relative risk (ie, risk ratio), risk difference, and mean difference with 95% confidence intervals were assessed by fixed effects models, heterogeneity by I² statistics, and the quality of evidence by Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations.

RESULTS

Eighteen randomized controlled trials compared delayed vs early clamping in 2834 infants. Most infants allocated to have delayed clamping were assigned a delay of ≥60 seconds. Delayed clamping reduced hospital mortality (risk ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.90; risk difference, -0.03; 95% confidence interval, -0.05 to -0.01; P = .005; number needed to benefit, 33; 95% confidence interval, 20-100; Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations = high, with I² = 0 indicating no heterogeneity). In 3 trials in 996 infants ≤28 weeks' gestation, delayed clamping reduced hospital mortality (risk ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.95; risk difference, -0.05; 95% confidence interval, -0.09 to -0.01; P = .02, number needed to benefit, 20; 95% confidence interval, 11-100; I² = 0). In subgroup analyses, delayed clamping reduced the incidence of low Apgar score at 1 minute, but not at 5 minutes, and did not reduce the incidence of intubation for resuscitation, admission temperature, mechanical ventilation, intraventricular hemorrhage, brain injury, chronic lung disease, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, late onset sepsis or retinopathy of prematurity. Delayed clamping increased peak hematocrit by 2.73 percentage points (95% confidence interval, 1.94-3.52; P < .00001) and reduced the proportion of infants having blood transfusion by 10% (95% confidence interval, 6-13%; P < .00001). Potential harms of delayed clamping included polycythemia and hyperbilirubinemia.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review provides high-quality evidence that delayed clamping reduced hospital mortality, which supports current guidelines recommending delayed clamping in preterm infants. This review does not evaluate cord milking, which may also be of benefit. Analyses of individual patient data in these and other randomized controlled trials will be critically important in reliably evaluating important secondary outcomes.

When Helping Babies Breathe Is Not Enough: Designing a Novel, Mid-Level Neonatal Resuscitation Algorithm for Médecins Sans Frontières Field Teams Working in Low-Resource Hospital Settings

BACKGROUND

Neonatal resuscitation (NR) combines a set of life-saving interventions in order to stabilize compromised newborns at birth or when critically ill. Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), as an international medical-humanitarian organization working particularly in low-resource settings (LRS), assisted over 250,000 births in obstetric and newborn care aid projects in 2016 and provides thousands of newborn resuscitations annually. The Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) program has been used as formal guidance for basic resuscitation since 2012. However, in some MSF projects with the capacity to provide more advanced NR interventions but a lack of adapted guidance, staff have felt prompted to create their own advanced algorithms, which runs counter to the organization's aim for standardized protocols in all aspects of its care.

OBJECTIVES

The aim is to close a significant gap in neonatal care provision in LRS by establishing consensus on a protocol that would guide MSF field teams in their practice of more advanced NR.

METHODS

An independent committee of international experts was formed and met regularly from June 2016 to agree on the content and design of a new NR algorithm.

RESULTS

Consensus was reached on a novel, mid-level NR algorithm in April 2017. The algorithm was accepted for use by MSF Operational Center Paris.

CONCLUSION

This paper contributes to the literature on decision-making in the development of cognitive aids. The authors also highlight how critical gaps in healthcare delivery in LRS can be addressed, even when there is limited evidence to guide the process.

Delayed versus Immediate Cord Clamping in Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND

The preferred timing of umbilical-cord clamping in preterm infants is unclear.

METHODS

We randomly assigned fetuses from women who were expected to deliver before 30 weeks of gestation to either immediate clamping of the umbilical cord (≤10 seconds after delivery) or delayed clamping (≥60 seconds after delivery). The primary composite outcome was death or major morbidity (defined as severe brain injury on postnatal ultrasonography, severe retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, or late-onset sepsis) by 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis, accounting for multiple births.

RESULTS

Of 1634 fetuses that underwent randomization, 1566 were born alive before 30 weeks of gestation; of these, 782 were assigned to immediate cord clamping and 784 to delayed cord clamping. The median time between delivery and cord clamping was 5 seconds and 60 seconds in the respective groups. Complete data on the primary outcome were available for 1497 infants (95.6%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of the primary outcome between infants assigned to delayed clamping (37.0%) and those assigned to immediate clamping (37.2%) (relative risk, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.88 to 1.13; P=0.96). The mortality was 6.4% in the delayed-clamping group and 9.0% in the immediate-clamping group (P=0.03 in unadjusted analyses; P=0.39 after post hoc adjustment for multiple secondary outcomes). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidences of chronic lung disease or other major morbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

Among preterm infants, delayed cord clamping did not result in a lower incidence of the combined outcome of death or major morbidity at 36 weeks of gestation than immediate cord clamping. (Funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council [NHMRC] and the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre; APTS Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12610000633088 .).

[Care of the newborn with perinatal asphyxia candidate for therapeutic hypothermia during the first six hours of life in Spain]

INTRODUCTION

The process of care and assistance from birth to the starting of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is crucial in order to improve its effectiveness and prevent the worsening of hypoxic-ischaemic injury.

METHODS

A national cross-sectional study carried out in 2015 by use of a questionnaire sent to all level iii units on the care of the newborn≥35 weeks gestation within the first hours of life after a perinatal asphyxia event. According to clinical practice guidelines, the quality of care was compared between the hospitals that carried out or did not carry out TH, and according to the level of care.

RESULTS

A total of 89/90 hospitals participated, of which 57/90 performed TH. They all used resuscitation protocols and turned off the radiant warmer after stabilisation. All of them performed glucose and blood gas analysis, monitored the central temperature, put the newborn on a diet, and performed at least two examinations for the diagnosis of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Greater than one-third (35%) of hospitals did not have amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram, and 6/57 were TH-hospitals. The quality of care among hospitals with and without TH was similar, childbirth being better in those that performed TH, and those with a higher level of care. Level IIIc hospitals had higher scores than the others. The TH-hospitals mentioned not always having neonatologists with experience in neurological assessment and interpretation of amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (25%), or in brain ultrasound (62%).

CONCLUSIONS

In response to the recommendations of the asphyxiated newborn, there is a proper national health care standard with differences according to the level of care and whether TH is offered. More amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram devices are necessary, as well as more neonatologists trained in the evaluations that will be require by the newborn with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.

Golden hour of neonatal life: Need of the hour

"Golden Hour" of neonatal life is defined as the first hour of post-natal life in both preterm and term neonates. This concept in neonatology has been adopted from adult trauma where the initial first hour of trauma management is considered as golden hour. The "Golden hour" concept includes practicing all the evidence based intervention for term and preterm neonates, in the initial sixty minutes of postnatal life for better long-term outcome. Although the current evidence supports the concept of golden hour in preterm and still there is no evidence seeking the benefit of golden hour approach in term neonates, but neonatologist around the globe feel the importance of golden hour concept equally in both preterm and term neonates. Initial first hour of neonatal life includes neonatal resuscitation, post-resuscitation care, transportation of sick newborn to neonatal intensive care unit, respiratory and cardiovascular support and initial course in nursery. The studies that evaluated the concept of golden hour in preterm neonates showed marked reduction in hypothermia, hypoglycemia, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). In this review article, we will discuss various components of neonatal care that are included in "Golden hour" of preterm and term neonatal care.