Pulse Oximetry Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Defects in Newborn Babies.

Pulse oximetry screening (POS) was first described over 20 years ago. However, in recent years, major clinical trials have demonstrated consistent test accuracy for the detection of critical congenital heart defects (CCHD). International uptake of POS has progressed well over the last 10 years with most major high-income countries now recommending screening.

Advance care planning in perinatal settings: national survey of implementation using Normalisation Process Theory.

Background: Perinatal advance care planning (PnACP) is a process of formal decision-making to help families plan for their baby's care when recognised that they may have a life-limiting condition. While PnACP is recommended in policy, there is a lack of evidence to support implementation and development in the perinatal setting.

Objective: To conduct an online survey of UK and Ireland perinatal providers to examine how PnACP is operationalised in current practice.

Mechanisms affecting the gut of preterm infants in enteral feeding trials: a nested cohort within a randomised controlled trial of lactoferrin.

Objective: To determine the impact of supplemental bovine lactoferrin on the gut microbiome and metabolome of preterm infants.

Design: Cohort study nested within a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Infants across different trial arms were matched on several clinical variables.

Monofilament suture versus braided suture thread to improve pregnancy outcomes after vaginal cervical cerclage (C-STICH): a pragmatic randomised, controlled, phase 3, superiority trial.

Background: Miscarriage in the second trimester and preterm birth are significant global problems. Vaginal cervical cerclage is performed to prevent pregnancy loss and preterm birth. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of a monofilament suture thread compared with braided suture thread on pregnancy loss rates in women undergoing a cervical cerclage.

Left Ventricular Dysfunction Persists in the First Week after Re-Warming following Therapeutic Hypothermia for Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess serial myocardial function in newborn infants receiving therapeutic hypothermia (TH) as treatment for moderate to severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Methods: Serial echocardiography was performed in 20 term infants receiving TH on days 1-3 and again after re-warming. Left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening, LV cardiac output, and tissue Doppler imaging-derived myocardial velocities and myocardial performance index were measured.

Temporal trends in routine predischarge pulse oximetry screening: 6 years' experience in a UK regional neonatal unit.

Objectives: To evaluate the continued impact of pulse oximetry screening (POS) in a regional neonatal unit (NNU) and identify trends in screening outcomes in comparison with our previous experience.

Design: Retrospective review of admissions between April 2013 and March 2019 (the current study) and comparison with previously published data (the 2014 study).

Patients: All infants >34 weeks completed gestation admitted to NNU as a result of positive POS.

Busy can be happy: 'Cake Thursday' as a team bonding exercise.

Implementation of 'Cake Thursday' as a team bonding and morale-boosting exercise.

C-STICH: Cerclage Suture Type for an Insufficient Cervix and its effect on Health outcomes-a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Background: Preterm birth is associated with significant mortality and morbidity for mothers and babies. Women are identified as high risk for preterm birth based on either previous medical/pregnancy history or on ultrasound assessment of the cervix. Women identified as high risk can be offered a cervical cerclage (a purse string stitch) around the cervix (neck of the womb) to reduce the risk of preterm birth.

New born pulse oximetry screening: A global perspective.

The possibility of pulse oximetry screening (POS) for congenital heart defects was first described over 20 years ago. Since then, an accumulation of research evidence and clinical practice experience has established POS as an important test to detect critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs). POS meets the criteria for universal screening and professional bodies around the globe have recommended universal POS.

Breastfeeding promotes early neonatal regulatory T-cell expansion and immune tolerance of non-inherited maternal antigens.

Background: Breastfeeding is associated with long-term health benefits, such as a lower incidence of childhood infections, asthma, obesity and autoimmune disorders. However, little is known regarding how the maternal and neonatal immune systems interact after parturition when the neonate receives nutrition from maternal breast milk.

Methods: We undertook a comparative analysis of immune repertoire and function at birth and 3 weeks of age in a cohort of 38 term neonates born by caesarean section grouped according to feeding method (breast milk versus formula).

Updated Strategies for Pulse Oximetry Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Disease.

Seven years after its addition to the US Recommended Uniform Screening Panel, newborn screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) using pulse oximetry became mandatory in the United States. Although CCHD newborn screening reduces morbidity and mortality, there remain important opportunities to improve. An expert panel convened for a 1-day meeting in September 2018, including subject matter experts and representatives from stakeholder organizations.

The cost-effectiveness of progesterone in preventing miscarriages in women with early pregnancy bleeding: an economic evaluation based on the PRISM trial.

Objectives: To assess the cost-effectiveness of progesterone compared with placebo in preventing pregnancy loss in women with early pregnancy vaginal bleeding.

Design: Economic evaluation alongside a large multi-centre randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Forty-eight UK NHS early pregnancy units.

Faecal volatile organic compounds in preterm babies at risk of necrotising enterocolitis: the DOVE study.

Background: Early diagnosis of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) may improve prognosis but there are no proven biomarkers.

Objective: To investigate changes in faecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as potential biomarkers for NEC.

Design: Multicentre prospective study.

Quality of investigations into unexpected deaths of infants and young children in England after implementation of national child death review procedures in 2008: a retrospective assessment.

Objectives: In 2008, new statutory national procedures for responding to unexpected child deaths were introduced throughout England. There has, to date, been no national audit of these procedures.

Study Design: Families bereaved by the unexpected death of a child under 4 years of age since 2008 were invited to participate.