2023 American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics Focused Update on Neonatal Resuscitation: An Update to the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

This 2023 focused update to the neonatal resuscitation guidelines is based on 4 systematic reviews recently completed under the direction of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Neonatal Life Support Task Force. Systematic reviewers and content experts from this task force performed comprehensive reviews of the scientific literature on umbilical cord management in preterm, late preterm, and term newborn infants, and the optimal devices and interfaces used for administering positive-pressure ventilation during resuscitation of newborn infants. These recommendations provide new guidance on the use of intact umbilical cord milking, device selection for administering positive-pressure ventilation, and an additional primary interface for administering positive-pressure ventilation.

Impact of State Prioritization of Safe Infant Sleep Programs on Supine Sleep Positioning for Non-Hispanic White and Non-Hispanic Black Infants.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate whether safe infant sleep prioritization by states through the Title V Maternal and Child Block Grant in 2010 differentially impacted maternal report of supine sleep positioning (SSP) for Non-Hispanic White (NHW) and Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) U.S.-born infants. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed retrospective cross-sectional data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) from 2005 to 2015 from 4 states: WV and OK (Intervention) and AR and UT (Control). PRAMS is a population-based surveillance system of maternal perinatal experiences which is linked to infant birth certificates. Piece-wise survey linear regression models were used to estimate the difference in the change in slopes of SSP percents in the pre- (2005-2009) and post- (2011-2015) periods, controlling for maternal and infant characteristics. Models were also stratified by race/ethnicity. RESULTS: From 2005 to 2015, for NHW infants, SSP improved from 61.5% and 70.2% to 82.8% and 82.3% for intervention and control states, respectively. For NHB infants, SSP improved from 30.6% and 26.5% to 64.5% and 53.1% for intervention and control states, respectively. After adjustment for maternal characteristics, there was no difference in the rate of SSP change from the pre- to post- intervention periods for either NHW or NHB infants in intervention or control groups. CONCLUSION: Compared with control states that did not prioritize safe infant sleep in their 2010 Title V Block Grant needs assessment, intervention states experienced no difference in SSP improvement rates for NHW and NHB infants. While SSP increased for all infants during the study period, there was no causal relationship between states' prioritization of safe infant sleep and SSP improvement. More targeted approaches may be needed to reduce the racial/ethnic disparity in SSP and reduce the risk for sleep-associated infant death. KEY POINTS: · Supine sleep positioning improved for Black and White infants in the U.S.. · State prioritization of safe infant sleep did not directly impact SSP for NHB or NHW infants.. · More targeted approaches may be needed to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in safe sleep practices.

Toward greater nuance in delayed cord clamping.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: For over a decade, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation has recommended delayed cord clamping (DCC), but implementation has been variable due to lack of consensus on details of technique and concerns for risks in certain patient populations. This review summarizes recent literature on the benefits and risks of DCC in term and preterm infants and examines alternative approaches such as physiologic-based cord clamping or intact cord resuscitation (ICR) and umbilical cord milking (UCM). RECENT FINDINGS: DCC improves hemoglobin/hematocrit among term infants and may promote improved neurodevelopment. In preterms, DCC improves survival compared to early cord clamping; however, UCM has been associated with severe intraventricular hemorrhage in extremely preterm infants. Infants of COVID-19 positive mothers, growth-restricted babies, multiples, and some infants with cardiopulmonary anomalies can also benefit from DCC. Large randomized trials of ICR will clarify safety and benefits in nonvigorous neonates. These have the potential to dramatically change the sequence of events during neonatal resuscitation. SUMMARY: Umbilical cord management has moved beyond simple time-based comparisons to nuances of technique and application in vulnerable sub-populations. Ongoing research highlights the importance of an individualized approach that recognizes the physiologic equilibrium when ventilation is established before cord clamping.

Persistent Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Supine Sleep Positioning among US Preterm Infants, 2000-2015.

OBJECTIVE: To assess trends in racial disparity in supine sleep positioning (SSP) across racial/ethnic groups of infants born early preterm (Early preterm; <34 weeks) and late preterm (Late preterm; 34-36 weeks) from 2000 to 2015. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data (a population-based perinatal surveillance system) from 16 US states from 2000 to 2015 (Weighted N = 1 020 986). Marginal prevalence of SSP by year was estimated for infants who were early preterm and late preterm, adjusting for maternal and infant characteristics. After stratifying infants who were early preterm and late preterm, we compared the aOR of SSP trends across racial/ethnic groups by testing the time-race interaction. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2015, Non-Hispanic Black infants had lower odds of SSP compared with Non-Hispanic White infants for early preterm (aOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.47-0.78) and late preterm (aOR 0.44; 95% CI 0.34-0.56) groups. For Hispanic infants, there was no statistically significant difference for either preterm group when compared with Non-Hispanic White infants. aOR of SSP increased (on average) annually by 10.0%, 7.3%, and 7.7%, respectively, in Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic early preterm infants and by 5.8%, 5.9%, and 4.8% among Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic late preterm infants. However, there were no significant between-group differences in annual changes (Early preterm: P = .11; Late preterm: P = .25). CONCLUSIONS: SSP increased for all racial/ethnic preterm groups from 2000 to 2015. However, the racial/ethnic disparity in SSP among early preterm and late preterm groups persists.

Neonatal resuscitation: EN-BIRTH multi-country validation study.

BACKGROUND: Annually, 14 million newborns require stimulation to initiate breathing at birth and 6 million require bag-mask-ventilation (BMV). Many countries have invested in facility-based neonatal resuscitation equipment and training. However, there is no consistent tracking for neonatal resuscitation coverage. METHODS: The EN-BIRTH study, in five hospitals in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Tanzania (2017-2018), collected time-stamped data for care around birth, including neonatal resuscitation. Researchers surveyed women and extracted data from routine labour ward registers. To assess accuracy, we compared gold standard observed coverage to survey-reported and register-recorded coverage, using absolute difference, validity ratios, and individual-level validation metrics (sensitivity, specificity, percent agreement). We analysed two resuscitation numerators (stimulation, BMV) and three denominators (live births and fresh stillbirths, non-crying, non-breathing). We also examined timeliness of BMV. Qualitative data were collected from health workers and data collectors regarding barriers and enablers to routine recording of resuscitation. RESULTS: Among 22,752 observed births, 5330 (23.4%) babies did not cry and 3860 (17.0%) did not breathe in the first minute after birth. 16.2% (n = 3688) of babies were stimulated and 4.4% (n = 998) received BMV. Survey-report underestimated coverage of stimulation and BMV. Four of five labour ward registers captured resuscitation numerators. Stimulation had variable accuracy (sensitivity 7.5-40.8%, specificity 66.8-99.5%), BMV accuracy was higher (sensitivity 12.4-48.4%, specificity > 93%), with small absolute differences between observed and recorded BMV. Accuracy did not vary by denominator option. < 1% of BMV was initiated within 1 min of birth. Enablers to register recording included training and data use while barriers included register design, documentation burden, and time pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Population-based surveys are unlikely to be useful for measuring resuscitation coverage given low validity of exit-survey report. Routine labour ward registers have potential to accurately capture BMV as the numerator. Measuring the true denominator for clinical need is complex; newborns may require BMV if breathing ineffectively or experiencing apnoea after initial drying/stimulation or subsequently at any time. Further denominator research is required to evaluate non-crying as a potential alternative in the context of respectful care. Measuring quality gaps, notably timely provision of resuscitation, is crucial for programme improvement and impact, but unlikely to be feasible in routine systems, requiring audits and special studies.

2019 American Heart Association Focused Update on Neonatal Resuscitation: An Update to the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

This 2019 focused update to the American Heart Association neonatal resuscitation guidelines is based on 2 evidence reviews recently completed under the direction of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Neonatal Life Support Task Force. The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation Expert Systematic Reviewer and content experts performed comprehensive reviews of the scientific literature on the appropriate initial oxygen concentration for use during neonatal resuscitation in 2 groups: term and late-preterm newborns (≥35 weeks of gestation) and preterm newborns (<35 weeks of gestation). This article summarizes those evidence reviews and presents recommendations. The recommendations for neonatal resuscitation are as follows: In term and late-preterm newborns (≥35 weeks of gestation) receiving respiratory support at birth, the initial use of 21% oxygen is reasonable. One hundred percent oxygen should not be used to initiate resuscitation because it is associated with excess mortality. In preterm newborns (<35 weeks of gestation) receiving respiratory support at birth, it may be reasonable to begin with 21% to 30% oxygen and to base subsequent oxygen titration on oxygen saturation targets. These guidelines require no change in the Neonatal Resuscitation Algorithm-2015 Update.

COVID-19 and newborn health: systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To describe perinatal and neonatal outcomes in newborns exposed to SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed Central, LILACS, and Google Scholar using the keywords 'covid ' AND 'newborn' OR 'child' OR 'infant,' on 18 March 2020, and again on 17 April 2020. One researcher conducted the search and extracted data on demographics, maternal outcomes, diagnostic tests, imaging, and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: Of 256 publications identified, 20 met inclusion criteria and comprised neonatal outcome data for 222 newborns whose mothers were suspected or confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2 positive perinatally (17 studies) or of newborns referred to hospital with infection/pneumonia (3 studies). Most (12 studies) were case-series reports; all were from China, except three (Australia, Iran, and Spain). Of the 222 newborns, 13 were reported as positive for SARS-CoV-2; most of the studies reported no or mild symptoms and no adverse perinatal outcomes. Two papers among those from newborns who tested positive reported moderate or severe clinical characteristics. Five studies using data on umbilical cord blood, placenta, and/or amniotic fluid reported no positive results. Nine studies reported radiographic imaging, including 5 with images of pneumonia, increased lung marking, thickened texture, or high-density nodular shadow. Minor, non-specific changes in biochemical variables were reported. Studies that tested breast milk reported negative SARS-CoV-2 results. CONCLUSIONS: Given the paucity of studies at this time, vertical transmission cannot be confirmed or denied. Current literature does not support abstaining from breastfeeding nor separating mothers and newborns. Further evidence and data collection networks, particularly in the Americas, are needed for establishing definitive guidelines and recommendations.

Neonatal resuscitation in global health settings: an examination of the past to prepare for the future.

As rates of childhood mortality decline, neonatal deaths account for nearly half of under-5 deaths worldwide. Intrapartum-related events (birth asphyxia) contribute to approximately one-quarter of neonatal deaths, many of which can be prevented by simple resuscitation and newborn care interventions. This paper reviews various lines of research that have influenced the global neonatal resuscitation landscape. A brief situational analysis of asphyxia-related newborn mortality in low-resource settings is linked to renewed efforts to reduce neonatal mortality in the Every Newborn Action Plan. Possible solutions to gaps in care are identified. Building on international scientific evidence, tests of educational efficacy, and community-based trials established the feasibility and effectiveness of training in resource-limited settings and identified successful implementation strategies. Implementation of neonatal resuscitation programs has been shown to decrease intrapartum stillbirth rates and early neonatal mortality. Challenges remain with respect to provider competencies, coverage, and quality of interventions. The combination of resuscitation science, strategies to increase educational effectiveness, and implemention of interventions with high coverage and quality has resulted in reduced rates of asphyxia-related neonatal mortality. Further efforts to improve coverage and implementation of neonatal resuscitation will be necessary to meet the 2035 goal of eliminating preventable newborn deaths.

Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) training: What happens to knowledge and skills over time?

BACKGROUND: The first minutes after birth are critical to reducing neonatal mortality. Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) is a simulation-based neonatal resuscitation program for low resource settings. We studied the impact of initial HBB training followed by refresher training on the knowledge and skills of the birth attendants in facilities. METHODS: We conducted HBB trainings in 71 facilities in the NICHD Global Network research sites (Nagpur and Belgaum, India and Eldoret, Kenya), with a 6:1 ratio of facility trainees to Master Trainers (MT). Because of staff turnover, some birth attendants (BA) were trained as they joined the delivery room staff, after the initial training was completed (catch-up initial training). We compared pass rates for skills and knowledge pre- and post- initial HBB training and following refresher training among active BAs. An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) B tested resuscitation skill retention by comparing post-initial training performance with pre-refresher training performance. We identified factors associated with loss of skills in pre-refresher training performance using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Daily bag and mask ventilation practice, equipment checks and supportive supervision were stressed as part of training. RESULTS: One hundred five MT (1.6 MT per facility) conducted initial and refresher HBB trainings for 835 BAs; 76% had no prior resuscitation training. Initial training improved knowledge and skills: the pass percentage for knowledge tests improved from 74 to 99% (p < 0.001). Only 5% could ventilate a newborn mannequin correctly before initial training but 97% passed the post-initial ventilation training test (p < 0.0001) and 99% passed the OSCE B resuscitation evaluation. During pre-refresher training evaluation, a mean of 6.7 (SD 2.49) months after the initial training, 99% passed the knowledge test, but the successful completion rate fell to 81% for the OSCE B resuscitation skills test. Characteristics associated with deterioration of resuscitation skills were BAs from tertiary care facilities, no prior resuscitation training, and the timing of training (initial vs. catch-up training). CONCLUSIONS: HBB training significantly improved neonatal resuscitation knowledge and skills. However, skills declined more than knowledge over time. Ongoing skills practice and monitoring, more frequent retesting, and refresher trainings are needed to maintain neonatal resuscitation skills. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01681017 ; 04 September 2012, retrospectively registered.