Prioritizing a research agenda: a Delphi study of the better outcomes through research for newborns (BORN) network.

Background: There is a paucity of evidence to guide clinical management for term and late preterm newborns. The Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns (BORN) network is a national collaborative of clinicians formed to increase the evidence-base for well newborn care.

Objective: To develop a consensus-based, prioritized research agenda for well newborn care.

Design: A two-round modified Delphi survey of BORN members was conducted. Round 1 was an open-ended survey soliciting 5 clinical questions identified as important and under-researched. Using qualitative methods, 20 most common themes were extracted and transformed into research questions. Round 2 survey respondents ranked the top 20 questions using a 5- point Likert scale and a quantitative analysis was conducted.

Results: Round 1 survey generated 439 unique research questions that fell into 57 themes. In the Round 2 survey, the highest rated questions were: 1) At what weight-loss percentage is it medically necessary to formula supplement a breastfeeding infant? 2) What is the optimal management of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome? 3) How and when should we initiate a workup for sepsis, and how should these newborns be managed?

Conclusions: Research priorities of clinicians include criteria for medically indicated formula supplementation of the breastfed newborn, management of neonatal abstinence syndrome and management of newborns at-risk for sepsis.