Polyethylene bags before cord clamping in very preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Hypothermia on admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with an increased risk of death in preterm infants. There are currently no evidence-based recommendations for thermal care before cord clamping (CC). We wished to determine whether placing very preterm infants in a polyethylene bag (PB) before CC, compared with after CC, results in more infants with a temperature in the normal range on NICU admission.

Nasal interfaces for neonatal resuscitation.

Background: The Neonatal Task Force of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) makes practice recommendations for the care of newborn infants in the delivery room (DR). ILCOR recommends that all infants who are gasping, apnoeic, or bradycardic (heart rate < 100 per minute) should be given positive pressure ventilation (PPV) with a manual ventilation device (T-piece, self-inflating bag, or flow-inflating bag) via an interface. The most commonly used interface is a face mask that encircles the infant's nose and mouth.

Oral stimulation for promoting oral feeding in preterm infants.

Background: Preterm infants (< 37 weeks' post-menstrual age (PMA)) are often delayed in attaining oral feeding. Normal oral feeding is suggested as an important outcome for the timing of discharge from the hospital and can be an early indicator of neuromotor integrity and developmental outcomes. A range of oral stimulation interventions may help infants to develop sucking and oromotor co-ordination, promoting earlier oral feeding and earlier hospital discharge.

Sustained versus standard inflations during neonatal resuscitation to prevent mortality and improve respiratory outcomes.

Background: At birth, infants' lungs are fluid-filled. For newborns to have a successful transition, this fluid must be replaced by air to enable gas exchange. Some infants are judged to have inadequate breathing at birth and are resuscitated with positive pressure ventilation (PPV).

Needle aspiration versus intercostal tube drainage for pneumothorax in the newborn.

Background: Pneumothorax occurs more frequently in the neonatal period than at any other time of life and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. It can be treated with either aspiration with a syringe (using a needle or an angiocatheter) or a chest tube inserted in the anterior pleural space and then connected to a Heimlich valve or an underwater seal with continuous suction.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of needle aspiration (either with immediate removal of the needle or with the needle left in situ) to intercostal tube drainage in the management of neonatal pneumothorax (PTX).

Sustained versus standard inflations during neonatal resuscitation to prevent mortality and improve respiratory outcomes.

Background: At birth, infants' lungs are fluid-filled. For newborns to have a successful transition, this fluid must be replaced by air to enable effective breathing. Some infants are judged to have inadequate breathing at birth and are resuscitated with positive pressure ventilation (PPV).

Frenotomy for tongue-tie in newborn infants.

Background: Tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, is a condition whereby the lingual frenulum attaches near the tip of the tongue and may be short, tight and thick. Tongue-tie is present in 4% to 11% of newborns. Tongue-tie has been cited as a cause of poor breastfeeding and maternal nipple pain.

Oral stimulation for promoting oral feeding in preterm infants.

Background: Preterm infants (< 37 weeks' postmenstrual age) are often delayed in attaining oral feeding. Normal oral feeding is suggested as an important outcome for the timing of discharge from the hospital and can be an early indicator of neuromotor integrity and developmental outcomes. A range of oral stimulation interventions may help infants to develop sucking and oromotor co-ordination, promoting earlier oral feeding and earlier hospital discharge.

High flow nasal cannula for respiratory support in preterm infants.

Background: High flow nasal cannulae (HFNC) are small, thin, tapered cannulae used to deliver oxygen or blended oxygen and air at flow rates of > 1 L/min. HFNC can be used to provide high concentrations of oxygen and may deliver positive end-expiratory pressure.

Objectives: To compare the safety and efficacy of HFNC with other forms of non-invasive respiratory support in preterm infants.