Quantifying the impact of centralised neonatal care following interhospital transfer of preterm infants on families.

Aim: Evaluate the additional burden of centralised neonatal care on families of extremely preterm infants cared for away from their planned hospital of birth.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study using national data for infants 23 to 27 weeks of gestation admitted for neonatal care from 2011 to 2016. The number of transfers on the first day of life (potential maternal-infant separation), time away from the maternal booking hospital (BH) and distance from the maternal residence were quantified.

Availability of active therapeutic hypothermia at birth for neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy: a UK population study from 2011 to 2018.

Objective: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) commenced soon after birth for neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) improves survival and reduces neurodisability. Availability of active TH at the place of birth (Immediate-TH) in the UK is unknown.

Design: Population-based observational study.

Feasibility of a Novel ECG Electrode Placement Method in Newborn Infants.

Background: International newborn resuscitation guidelines recommend electrocardiogram (ECG) heart rate (HR) monitoring at birth. We evaluated the application time of pre-set ECG electrodes fixed to a polyethene patch allowing adhesive-free attachment to the wet skin of the newborn chest.

Objectives: Using a three-electrode pre-set ECG patch configuration, application success was calculated using video analysis and measured at three time points, the time to (1) apply electrodes; (2) detect recognizable QRS complexes after application; and (3) display a HR after application.

Temporal trends of in utero and early postnatal transfer of extremely preterm infants between 2011 and 2016: a UK population study.

Objective: Early postnatal transfer (PNT) of extremely preterm infants is associated with adverse outcomes compared with in utero transfer (IUT). We aimed to explore recent national trends of IUT and early PNT.

Design: Observational cohort study using the National Neonatal Research Database.

Outcomes of neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in centres with and without active therapeutic hypothermia: a nationwide propensity score-matched analysis.

Objective: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) for neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), delivered mainly in tertiary cooling centres (CCs), reduces mortality and neurodisability. It is unknown if birth in a non-cooling centre (non-CC), without active TH, impacts short-term outcomes.

Design: Retrospective cohort study using National Neonatal Research Database and propensity score-matching.

Trends in the incidence and management of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in the therapeutic hypothermia era: a national population study.

Objective: Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains a leading cause of neonatal mortality and neurodisability. We aimed to determine the incidence of HIE and management patterns against national guidelines.

Design: Retrospective cohort study using the National Neonatal Research Database.

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.

Neurocritical care of high-risk infants during inter-hospital transport.

The centralisation of neonatal intensive care in recent years has improved mortality, particularly of extremely preterm infants, but similar improvements in morbidity, such as neurodevelopmental impairment, have not been seen. Integral to the success of centralisation are specialised neonatal transport teams who provide intensive care prior to and during retrieval of high-risk neonates when in-utero transfer has not been possible. Neonatal retrieval aims to stabilise the clinical condition and then transfer the neonate during a high-risk period for patient.

Development of a Clinical Interface for a Novel Newborn Resuscitation Device: Human Factors Approach to Understanding Cognitive User Requirements.

Background: A novel medical device has been developed to address an unmet need of standardizing and facilitating heart rate recording during neonatal resuscitation. In a time-critical emergency resuscitation, where failure can mean death of an infant, it is vital that clinicians are provided with information in a timely, precise, and clear manner to capacitate appropriate decision making. This new technology provides a hands-free, wireless heart rate monitoring solution that easily fits the clinical pathway and procedure for neonatal resuscitation.

Risk of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in the First Week of Life in Preterm Infants Transported Before 72 Hours of Age.

Objectives: Evaluate the risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage, in the first week of life, in preterm infants undergoing early interhospital transport.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary neonatal centers of the Trent Perinatal Network in the United Kingdom.