When early and often counts.

In 2000, Millennium Development Goal 4 called for global deaths in under fives, to be reduced by two thirds by 2015 (United Nations Millennium Declaration (UNMD) 2000). Birth asphyxia - failure to initiate or sustain spontaneous breathing at birth - causes up to one million neonatal deaths per year (Ersdal and Singhal 2013). A high proportion.of these are in low-resource countries. In 2009, a group of doctors and academics from hospitals and universities in Norway and the United States wanted to find out if the Helping babies breathe (HBB) simulation-based programme for midwives in low-resource countries helped reduce newborn fatalities in a hospital in Tanzania. I was one of those doctors and our research showed that when teaching switched from a one-day programme to a low-dose, high-frequency model, emphasising immediate basic steps, there was a significant increase in the number of infants stimulated at birth, and a 40 per cent decrease in early neonatal mortality.

Umbilical cord prolapse in primary midwifery care in the Netherlands; a case series.

We aimed to gain insight into umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) reported by primary care midwives in the Netherlands. Cases of UCP were reported by midwives who participated in a postgraduate training programme developed for community-based midwives. Cases were analysed using midwifery charts, ambulance report forms and discharge letters. Procedures to alleviate cord pressure, ambulance timing, mode of birth and neonatal outcomes were inventoried. Diagnosis to delivery interval (DDI) and risk factors were identified. Eight cases of UCP in primary midwifery care were reported of which six occurred at home. Risk factors such as malpresentation (breech) and/or unengaged presenting part were found in four cases, two (unengaged fetal head) were known to the midwife prior to birth. Retrograde bladder filling (2/8), manual elevation of the fetal head (7/8) and Trendelenburg position (1/8) were applied. One infant died of severe birth asphyxia; the other infants recovered and were discharged in good condition.

Effect of continuous workshop training of the helping babies breathe program on the retention of midwives' knowledge and skills: A clinical trial study.

AIM: To investigate the impact of ongoing workshop training of the "Helping Babies Breathe" program on the durability of midwives' knowledge and skills. BACKGROUND: Implementing the Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) program is crucial as a simple protocol for neonatal resuscitation in low-resource healthcare settings to decrease the rate of asphyxia and perinatal mortality by the initial healthcare providers. In addition to training in this program, it is also essential to guarantee the retention of the acquired knowledge and skills. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental clinical trial study with a single-group, pre-test-and-post-test design. METHODS: This study was conducted throughout the year 2022, with a sample size of 61 midwives selected through a census sampling from those working in the delivery and operating rooms of X Hospital in x City. The midwives participated in 3-hour workshops. This study was performed in two stages: intervention and follow-up. The evaluation Instruments included the HBB educational package, which consisted of a questionnaire and 3 Objective Structured Clinical Exams. During the intervention phase, the HBB program training was conducted through a series of workshops held at four different time points over a span of six months. In the follow-up stage, the learners were not provided with any further training. The evaluation was done immediately after the initial training workshop of the HBB program, at the end of the final workshop in the sixth month and at the end of the follow-up period. RESULTS: The mean knowledge score of the baseline, at six months and at twelve months after the initial workshop were documented as (17 SD1.2), (17.79 SD 0.4) and (17.73 SD 0.5), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean knowledge scores between the baseline and the six and twelve months (P<0.05), but no statistically significant difference was observed between six and twelve months (P>0.05). The mean skill scores showed a significant improvement and were maintained after six months compared with the initial assessment (P<0.05); however, there was a significant decrease in skill score twelve months later, in comparison to both the initial assessment and the first six months (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare workers can maintain their knowledge and skills by participating in ongoing training workshops. However, without continuous training, their skills may diminish. Therefore, it is essential to implement training programs that emphasize regular practice and repetition to ensure knowledge and skills retention. REGISTRATION NUMBER: The present research was a part of the research work with the ethics ID IR.IRSHUMS.REC.1400.019.

[Neonatal asphyxia: a care experience using hypothermic therapy].

Hypothermia therapy, used to treat hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in neonates, has been shown to effectively decrease asphyxia complications and mortality. This article reports on an experience using this therapy approach to care for a neonatal asphyxic patient. Due to our lack of an appropriate cooling device, we adjusted the number of cool water bags to successfully perform hypothermic therapy. Despite this added procedural complication, we succeeded in saving the patient's life. The holistic care process for this type of case requires family-centered care to help family members deal with the critical condition and assist parents to face depression and guilt, reduce anxiety, and reaffirm the parent-child relationship. We used hypothermia in the initial stage. Relevant standards of critical care for this condition should be established to ensure adequate nursing care safety and quality.

[An unexpected delivery in Mayotte]. / Un accouchement inopiné a Mayotte.

The particular social-cultural context of Mayotte is resulting in an increase in the number of unexpected home births. When a secondary emergency response vehicle is dispatched, A & E nurses are involved in providing prehospital care, sometimes in difficult conditions, as one nurse testifies in this account.

The experience of mothers whose very low-birth-weight infant requires the delivery of supplemental oxygen in the neonatal intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: This study examines the experience of mothers whose very low-birth-weight infants require the delivery of supplemental oxygen during their hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). SUBJECTS: Eleven mothers of very low-birth-weight infants who have received various supplemental oxygen delivery methods in the NICU for a minimum of 7 days were selected for interview. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive. METHODS: One semistructured interview exploring mothers' experiences surrounding oxygen delivery methods was conducted. Qualitative content analysis was undertaken to describe mothers' experience. PRINCIPLE RESULTS: Four themes emerged related to the oxygen therapy and the various methods of delivery: Oxygen therapy is a positive, worries about the adverse effects for my baby now and in the future, a learning experience, and the delivery of supplemental oxygen is a barrier to mothering. CONCLUSION: Mothers balanced the positive aspects of oxygen therapy with their fears of the negative consequences. They were able to adapt to the equipment and trajectory of having their infant on supplemental oxygen delivery methods. Mothers were particularly distressed by the physical barriers created by oxygen delivery methods (ie, unable to hold, hear, or see their baby). Nurses in the NICU should support mothers' positive reframing as a way of coping, provide education about the consequences of this therapy, encourage mothers to touch and hold their infants, and provide opportunities for them to see their infants' faces.

"Caution! Contents should be cold": developing a whole-body hypothermia program.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is characterized as brain injury that results from lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain in the perinatal period. Neonatal whole-body hypothermia and selective head cooling are becoming increasingly common care practices across the U.S. and Canada for infants with moderate-to-severe HIE because of the demonstrated ability of these approaches to reduce reperfusion injury to the brain. Health care professionals must develop a clinical care path for these fragile infants. For best results, induced hypothermia should be initiated within six hours of birth; therefore, care must be organized and provided without delay. This article provides bedside clinicians with care recommendations for infants being treated with these new interventions.

Retention and use of newborn resuscitation skills following a series of helping babies breathe trainings for midwives in rural Ghana.

BACKGROUND: The Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) program teaches basic newborn resuscitation techniques to birth attendants in low-resource settings. Previous studies have demonstrated a decrease in mortality following training, mostly in large hospitals. However, low-volume clinics in rural regions with no physician immediately available likely experience a greater relative burden of newborn mortality. This study aimed to determine the impact of HBB trainings provided to rural Ghanaian midwives on their skills retention and on first 24 hour mortality of the newborns they serve. METHODS: American Acadamy of Paediatrics (AAP)-trained Master Trainers conducted two 2-day HBB trainings and 2-day refresher courses one year later for 48 midwives from Ghanaian rural health clinics. Trainee skills were evaluated by Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) at three time points: immediately after training, four months after training, and four months after the refresher. Midwives recorded the single highest level of resuscitation performed on each newborn delivered for one year. RESULTS: 48 midwives attended the two trainings, 32 recorded data from 2,383 deliveries, and 13 completed OSCE simulations at all three time points. The midwives' OSCE scores decreased from immediately after training (94.9%) to four months later (81.2%, p < 0.00001). However, four months following the refresher course, scores improved to the same high level attained initially (92.7%, p = 0.0013). 5.0% of neonates required bag-mask ventilation and 0.71% did not survive, compared with a nationwide first 24 hour mortality estimate of 1.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The midwives' performance on the simulation exercise indicates that an in-depth refresher course provided one year after the initial training likely slows the decay in skills that occurs after initial training. Our finding that 5.0% of newborns required bag-mask ventilation is consistent with global estimates. Our observed first 24 hour mortality rate of 0.71% is lower than nationwide estimates, indicating the training likely prevented deaths due to birth asphyxia.

Birth asphyxia: a crucial issue in the prevention of developmental disabilities.

Birth asphyxia is one of the most common causes of neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity in developing countries. In this paper the prevalence of the problem is described, and some suggestions for its prevention, identification and management are given.

Study shows ongoing benefits of cooling therapy for neonates.

OXYGEN DEPRIVATION at birth - perinatal asphyxia - is a well-known risk to children's health and development, resulting in permanent neurological damage that can include cerebral palsy and/or learning disability.

Helping babies breathe around the world.

Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) is an educational curriculum using the train-the-trainer model to teach neonatal resuscitation in resource limited areas. The purpose of this evidence-based program is to reduce global neonatal mortality by educating birth attendants to provide basic neonatal resuscitation. This program directly addresses the Millennium Developmental Goal #4 of reducing child mortality.

Experiences of parents whose newborns undergo hypothermia treatment following perinatal asphyxia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and interpret experiences of parents whose newborns are treated with induced hypothermia following perinatal asphyxia. DESIGN: A qualitative exploratory study. SETTING: Data collection in parental home environments (n = 8) and in a study room in a university library (n = 2). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 10 parents, seven mothers and three fathers, participated in the study. Their newborns were treated with induced hypothermia 4 to 12 months prior to the interviews. METHODS: Recorded open-ended interviews with the participants lasted from 60 to 90 minutes. Field notes were made after each interview. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductive content analysis was used in the analyzing process. RESULTS: Four main themes emerged from the data: emotional landscapes, adaptation to a new situation (with subthemes creating control, external and internal support in a difficult situation, normalizing the abnormal and reconciling oneself to uncertainty), moments of rebirth, and change in attitude toward life and existence. CONCLUSION: Term newborns are treated with induced hypothermia treatment due to perinatal asphyxia. During the hospitalization of newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), parents experience high levels of stress. Parents use several strategies for adapting to this situation, and nurses play a pivotal role in providing individual support and acting as advocates for parents in the NICU. After the infants are rewarmed, parents experience a moment of rebirth that might help them attach to their infants. Further research is warranted in this area to provide holistic care and support to families whose neonates undergo this treatment.

Stillbirth and newborn mortality in India after helping babies breathe training.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) newborn care and resuscitation training for birth attendants in reducing stillbirth (SB), and predischarge and neonatal mortality (NMR). India contributes to a large proportion of the worlds annual 3.1 million neonatal deaths and 2.6 million SBs. METHODS: This prospective study included 4187 births at >28 weeks' gestation before and 5411 births after HBB training in Karnataka. A total of 599 birth attendants from rural primary health centers and district and urban hospitals received HBB training developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, using a train-the-trainer cascade. Pre-post written trainee knowledge, posttraining provider performance and skills, SB, predischarge mortality, and NMR before and after HBB training were assessed by using χ(2) and t-tests for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounding. RESULTS: Provider knowledge and performance systematically improved with HBB training. HBB training reduced resuscitation but increased assisted bag and mask ventilation incidence. SB declined from 3.0% to 2.3% (odds ratio [OR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59-0.98) and fresh SB from 1.7% to 0.9% (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.78) after HBB training. Predischarge mortality was 0.1% in both periods. NMR was 1.8% before and 1.9% after HBB training (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.80-1.47, P = .59) but unknown status at 28 days was 2% greater after HBB training (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: HBB training reduced SB without increasing NMR, indicating that resuscitated infants survived the neonatal period. Monitoring and community-based assessment are recommended.

Newborn mortality and fresh stillbirth rates in Tanzania after helping babies breathe training.

BACKGROUND: Early neonatal mortality has remained high and unchanged for many years in Tanzania, a resource-limited country. Helping Babies Breathe (HBB), a novel educational program using basic interventions to enhance delivery room stabilization/resuscitation, has been developed to reduce the number of these deaths. METHODS: Master trainers from the 3 major referral hospitals, 4 associated regional hospitals, and 1 district hospital were trained in the HBB program to serve as trainers for national dissemination. A before (n = 8124) and after (n = 78 500) design was used for implementation. The primary outcomes were a reduction in early neonatal deaths within 24 hours and rates of fresh stillbirths (FSB). RESULTS: Implementation was associated with a significant reduction in neonatal deaths (relative risk [RR] with training 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.43-0.65; P ≤ .0001) and rates of FSB (RR with training 0.76; 95% CI 0.64-0.90; P = .001). The use of stimulation increased from 47% to 88% (RR 1.87; 95% CI 1.82-1.90; P ≤ .0001) and suctioning from 15% to 22% (RR 1.40; 95% CI 1.33-1.46; P ≤ .0001) whereas face mask ventilation decreased from 8.2% to 5.2% (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.60-0.72; P ≤ .0001). CONCLUSIONS: HBB implementation was associated with a significant reduction in both early neonatal deaths within 24 hours and rates of FSB. HBB uses a basic intervention approach readily applicable at all deliveries. These findings should serve as a call to action for other resource-limited countries striving to meet Millennium Development Goal 4.

Impacto de uma intervenção educativa no manejo da hipotermia terapêutica neonatal: estudo quase experimental / Impact of an educational intervention in the management of neonatal therapeutic hypothermia: a quasi-experimental study

Introdução: A hipotermia terapêutica é o tratamento indicado para encefalopatia moderada a grave em recém-nascidos. A terapia requer uma equipe de enfermagem capacitada e integrada, visando um cuidado qualificado, efetivo e seguro. Modelos teóricos têm sido desenvolvidos para auxiliar a incorporação de evidências científicas à prática dos enfermeiros, representando um desafio na área da saúde. A implementação de uma intervenção educativa, guiada pela estrutura i-PARIHS (Estrutura Integrada de Promoção da Ação na Implementação de Pesquisa em Serviços de Saúde), poderá preencher a lacuna entre a teoria e a prática, beneficiando a assistência e tornando os sujeitos ativos no manejo do recém-nascido em hipotermia terapêutica. Objetivo geral: avaliar o impacto de uma intervenção educativa, guiada pelo referencial teórico i-PARIHS, sobre o manejo do recém-nascido com asfixia perinatal em hipotermia terapêutica na unidade intensiva neonatal no conhecimento, atitudes e práticas de enfermeiros. Objetivos específicos: analisar o conhecimento, atitude e prática dos enfermeiros sobre o manejo do recém-nascido com asfixia perinatal em hipotermia terapêutica pré e pós-intervenção educativa; identificar as barreiras e facilitadores percebidos pelos enfermeiros sobre o manejo do recém-nascido com asfixia perinatal em hipotermia terapêutica na unidade intensiva neonatal; implementar uma intervenção educativa, guiada pelo referencial i-PARIHS, para melhorar o conhecimento, a atitude e a prática dos enfermeiros sobre o manejo do recém-nascido com asfixia perinatal em hipotermia terapêutica na unidade intensiva neonatal; comparar o conhecimento, atitude e prática dos enfermeiros após a intervenção educativa e os indicadores quanto ao manejo do recém-nascido com asfixia perinatal em hipotermia terapêutica. Método: trata-se de um estudo de intervenção, do tipo quase-experimental, realizado com 29 enfermeiros de uma unidade intensiva neonatal, referência no Rio de Janeiro. O desfecho principal: conhecimento, atitudes e práticas dos enfermeiros no manejo do recém-nascido com asfixia perinatal em hipotermia terapêutica na unidade intensiva neonatal A intervenção compreendeu três fases: pré-intervenção - intervenção educativa- pós-intervenção. A intervenção educativa contou com cinco encontros: "Asfixia Perinatal x Hipotermia Terapêutica", "Controle da temperatura", "Cuidados de enfermagem na HT: avaliação de dor", "Monitoramento neurológico" e "Cuidado Centrado na Família". Para a análise estatística utilizou-se de análise descritiva e aplicação dos testes Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney e Mc Nemar, sendo o nível de significância adotado de 0,05. Resultados: a análise dos resultados do pré e pós-teste demonstrou um incremento no escore de acertos das questões sobre conhecimento, atitude e prática dos enfermeiros no manejo do recém-nascido submetido à hipotermia terapêutica na unidade intensiva neonatal, apresentando significância estatística para a maioria dos itens. Para a inovação foram construídos lembretes, fluxo de admissão para recém-nascido da instituição e uma cartilha para os pais como produto da intervenção com os enfermeiros. Conclusão: O resultado das auditorias realizadas, após a implementação das evidências, constatou uma transformação positiva da prática dos enfermeiros. A utilização da estrutura i-PARIHS evidenciou a necessidade e o valor de investir no engajamento das partes interessadas, na avaliação colaborativa do contexto e na cocriação de inovação usando facilitação qualificada. A intervenção educativa, guiada pela estrutura i-PARIHS, mostrou ter impacto no manejo do recém-nascido submetido à hipotermia terapêutica por enfermeiros.

Introduction: Therapeutic hypothermia is the currently indicated treatment for moderate to severe encephalopathy in newborns. Therapy requires a trained and integrated nursing team, aiming at qualified, effective and safe care. Theoretical models have been developed to help the incorporation of scientific evidence into nurses' practice, representing a challenge in the health area. The implementation of an educational intervention, guided by the i-PARIHS (Integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services Framework) framework, can fill the gap between theory and professional practice, benefiting care and making subjects active in the management of newborns with therapeutic hypothermia. General objective: to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention guided by the theoretical framework i-PARIHS, on the management of newborns with perinatal asphyxia in therapeutic hypothermia in the neonatal intensive care unit on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses. Specific objectives: to analyze the knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses on the management of newborns with perinatal asphyxia in pre- and post-educational therapeutic hypothermia; to identify barriers and facilitators perceived by nurses on the management of newborns with perinatal asphyxia in therapeutic hypothermia in the neonatal intensive care unit; implement an educational intervention, guided by the i-PARIHS framework, to improve nurses' knowledge, attitude and practice on the management of newborns with perinatal asphyxia in therapeutic hypothermia in the neonatal intensive care unit and compare the knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses after the participatory educational intervention program and indicators regarding the management of newborns with perinatal asphyxia in therapeutic hypothermia. Method: this is a quasi-experimental intervention study carried out with 29 nurses from a neonatal intensive care unit, a reference in Rio de Janeiro. The main outcome: knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses in the management of newborns with perinatal asphyxia in therapeutic hypothermia in the neonatal intensive unit The intervention comprised three phases: pre-intervention - educational intervention - post-intervention. The educational intervention had five meetings: "Perinatal Asphyxia x Therapeutic Hypothermia", "Temperature control", "Nursing care in HT: pain assessment", "Neurological monitoring" and "Family-Centered Care". For the statistical analysis, descriptive analysis and application of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and Mc Nemar tests were used, with the adopted significance level of 0.05. Results: the analysis of pre- and post-test results showed an increase in the correct score of questions about nurses' knowledge and practices in the management of newborns submitted to therapeutic hypothermia in the neonatal intensive care unit, showing statistical significance for most items. For innovation, reminders, admission flow for newborns at the institution and a booklet for parents were created as a product of the intervention with nurses. Conclusion: The result of the audits carried out, after the implementation of the evidence, found a positive transformation of the nurses' practice. Using the i-PARIHS framework highlighted the need and value of investing in stakeholder engagement, collaborative context assessment, and co-creation of innovation using qualified facilitation. The educational intervention guided by the i-PARIHS framework was shown to have an impact on the management of newborns with perinatal asphyxia in therapeutic hypothermia by nurses.