Automatic prediction of therapeutic activities during newborn resuscitation combining video and signal data

Automatic identification of stimulation activities during newborn resuscitation using ECG and accelerometer signals

Background: Intermittent fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring during labor using an acoustic stethoscope is the most frequent method for fetal assessment of well-being in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence concerning reliability and efficacy of this technique is almost nonexistent. Objectives: To determine the value of routine intermittent FHR monitoring during labor in the detection of FHR abnormalities, and the relationship of abnormalities to the subsequent fresh stillbirths (FSB), birth asphyxia (BA), need for neonatal face mask ventilation (FMV), and neonatal deaths within 24 h. Methods: This is a descriptive observational study in a delivery room from November 2009 through December 2011. Research assistants/observers (n = 14) prospectively observed every delivery and recorded labor information including FHR and interventions, neonatal information including responses in the delivery room, and fetal/neonatal outcomes (FSB, death within 24 h, admission neonatal area, or normal). Results: 10,271 infants were born. FHR was abnormal (i.e. <120 or >160 beats/min) in 279 fetuses (2.7%) and absent in 200 (1.9%). Postnatal outcomes included FSB in 159 (1.5%), need for FMV in 695 (6.8%), BA (i.e. 5-min Apgar score <7) in 69 (0.7%), and deaths in 89 (0.9%). Abnormal FHR was associated with labor complications (OR = 31.4; 95% CI: 23.1–42.8), increased need for FMV (OR = 7.8; 95% CI: 5.9–10.1), BA (OR = 21.7; 95% CI: 12.7–37.0), deaths (OR = 9.9; 95% CI: 5.6–17.5), and FSB (OR = 35; 95% CI: 20.3–60.4). An undetected FHR predicted FSB (OR = 1,983; 95% CI: 922–4,264). Conclusions: Intermittent detection of an absent or abnormal FHR using a fetal stethoscope is associated with FSB, increased need for neonatal resuscitation, BA, and neonatal death in a limited-resource setting. The likelihood of an abnormal FHR is magnified with labor complications.

Preventing those so-called stillbirths

Objective Even with all the worldwide effort in the care of pregnant women and newborns in the last 10 years, perinatal asphyxia remains a crucial public health problem worldwide, being responsible for the high rates of morbidity and mortality in term and preterm newborns. In this perspective, research was carried out which aimed to investigate the prevalence and analyze the environmental and maternal-fetal risk factors associated with perinatal asphyxia. Methods This cohort study (2013–2018), corresponding to six years, was conducted in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. The study involved 480 postpartum women living in a capital in the Northeast of Brazil, whose newborns were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a private referral hospital for high-risk pregnancies. Perinatal asphyxia in live births was taken as the dependent variable. To identify risk factors associated with perinatal asphyxia, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results The research showed a high prevalence of perinatal asphyxia. The final multivariate analysis showed a significant association between perinatal asphyxia and eclampsia and complications in labor (p < 0.05), these being preventable causes of this outcome. The research demonstrated a high prevalence of perinatal asphyxia and a significant association between perinatal asphyxia and complications in labor, eclampsia, and cesarean sections (p < 0.05), being preventable causes of this outcome. Conclusion The study gave greater visibility to prenatal care, and understanding complications during pregnancy and childbirth care. The publication of the results signaled to managers the need to implement public and private politics to face this problem, which promoted improvements in the living conditions of the population and the care of pregnant women, to reduce the births of babies with perinatal asphyxia, consequently, reducing neonatal and infant mortality.

To determine the comparability between cause of death (COD) by a single physician coder and a two-physician panel, using verbal autopsy. The study was conducted between May 2007 and June 2008. Within a week of a perinatal death in 38 rural remote communities in Guatemala, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Pakistan, VA questionnaires were completed. Two independent physicians, unaware of the others decisions, assigned an underlying COD, in accordance with the causes listed in the chapter headings of the International classification diseases and related health problems, 10th revision (ICD-10). Cohen's kappa statistic was used to assess level of agreement between physician coders. There were 9461 births during the study period; 252 deaths met study enrolment criteria and underwent verbal autopsy. Physicians assigned the same COD for 75% of stillbirths (SB) (K = 0.69; 95% confidence interval: 0.61-0.78) and 82% early neonatal deaths (END) (K = 0.75; 95% confidence interval: 0.65-0.84). The patterns and proportion of SBs and ENDs determined by the physician coders were very similar compared to causes individually assigned by each physician. Similarly, rank order of the top five causes of SB and END was identical for each physician. This study raises important questions about the utility of a system of multiple coders that is currently widely accepted and speculates that a single physician coder may be an effective and economical alternative to VA programmes that use traditional two-physician panels to assign COD.

IntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate the long-term retention of knowledge, skills, and competency of health workers who completed a Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) training program and its effect on newborn mortality.MethodsA quasi-experimental pre- and post-intervention study was conducted. Participants were health workers selected based on their previous training on HBB protocols. Participants were assessed for knowledge, skills, and competency in March 2017 (immediately before and after training), June 2017 (three months after training), and September 2018 (one year after training). Assessments were conducted using HBB questionnaires, checklists and practical skill drills. Mean scores were obtained and ANOVA, chi-squared test, and Pearson's test were used for pre intervention, post intervention, and one-year-after comparisons. The effect of training on the management of newborn asphyxia was assessed based on a review of the delivery registry at a maternity and children's ward. The scores were group into percentages and averages means and were computed using chi-squared tests.ResultsDespite improvements in knowledge, skills, and competency three months after training, participants showed a marked decline one year after training. Knowledge increased from 42.5% pretest to 97% posttest but decreased to 84.5% three months' post training and further decreased to 69.4% one year post training. Skills increased from 26.1% pretest to 94.4% posttest, remained at 94.4% at three months, and decreased to 77.0% at one year. Simple resuscitation scores increased from 26.9% to 88.8% pre- and posttest, remained roughly at three months and decreased to 76.4% at one year. For complex resuscitation, scores decreased from 90.9% posttest to 76.9% at one year. The assessments at one year indicated a need for support and practice, especially with bag-mask ventilation.ConclusionThe immediate evaluation of health workers after HBB training showed significant increases in knowledge, skills and competency in neonatal resuscitation. However, this declined after one year. The training also resulted in decreased neonatal mortality.

Reducing intrapartum stillbirths and intrapartum-related neonatal deaths

To investigate causes of and contributors to newborn deaths in eastern Uganda using a three delays audit approach. Methods Data collected on 64 neonatal deaths from a demographic surveillance site were coded for causes of deaths using a hierarchical model and analysed using a modified three delays model to determine contributing delays. A survey was conducted in 16 health facilities to determine capacity for newborn care. Of the newborn babies, 33% died in a hospital/health centre, 13% in a private clinic and 54% died away from a health facility. 47% of the deaths occurred on the day of birth and 78% in the first week. Major contributing delays to newborn death were caretaker delay in problem recognition or in deciding to seek care (50%, 32/64); delay to receive quality care at a health facility (30%; 19/64); and transport delay (20%; 13/64). The median time to seeking care outside the home was 3 days from onset of illness (IQR 1-6). The leading causes of death were sepsis or pneumonia (31%), birth asphyxia (30%) and preterm birth (25%). Health facilities did not have capacity for newborn care, and health workers had correct knowledge on only 31% of the survey questions related to newborn care. Household and health facility-related delays were the major contributors to newborn deaths, and efforts to improve newborn survival need to address both concurrently. Understanding why newborn babies die can be improved by using the three delays model, originally developed for understanding maternal death.

Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) is crucial to neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation because respiratory failure precedes cardiac failure in newborns affected by perinatal asphyxia. Prolonged ineffective PPV could lead to a need for advanced resuscitation such as intubation, chest compression, and epinephrine. Every 30 s delay in initiation of PPV increased the risk of death or morbidity by 16%. The most effective interface for providing PPV in the early phases of resuscitation is still unclear. Laryngeal masks (LMs) are supraglottic airway devices that provide less invasive and relatively stable airway access without the need for laryngoscopy which have been studied as an alternative to face masks and endotracheal tubes in the initial stages of neonatal resuscitation. A meta-analysis found that LM is a safe and more effective alternative to face mask ventilation in neonatal resuscitation. LM is recommended as an alternative secondary airway device for the resuscitation of infants > 34 weeks by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. It is adopted by various national neonatal resuscitation guidelines across the globe. Recent good-quality randomized trials have enhanced our understanding of the utility of laryngeal masks in low-resource settings. Nevertheless, LM is underutilized due to its variable availability in delivery rooms, providers’ limited experience, insufficient training, preference for endotracheal tube, and lack of awareness.

Nurses’ and midwives’ knowledge regarding neonatal resuscitation in public hospitals of south wollo zone of Amhara Region, Northern Ethiopia

Reply

Simulation-based medical education is a new teaching method using modern intelligent sci-ence and technology to carry out clinical practice training. This article analyzes the current situation of simulation teaching training in neonatal asphyxia resuscitation and discusses its advantages, namely highly simulated and repetitive teaching scene, safe and reliable teaching process, potentially incentive teaching environment, flexible teaching content and cooperation of the teaching team. Key words: Simulation-based education; Operation training; Neonatal resuscitation

BackgroundIn many developing countries, the majority of births are attended by traditional birth attendants, who lack formal training in neonatal resuscitation and other essential care required by the newly born infant. In these countries, the major causes of neonatal mortality are birth asphyxia, infection, and low-birth-weight/prematurity. Death from these causes is potentially modifiable using low-cost interventions, including neonatal resuscitation training. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect on perinatal mortality of training birth attendants in a rural area of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) using two established programs.MethodsThis study, a secondary analysis of DRC-specific data collected during a multi-country study, was conducted in two phases. The effect of training using the WHO Essential Newborn Care (ENC) program was evaluated using an active baseline design, followed by a cluster randomized trial of training using an adaptation of a neonatal resuscitation program (NRP). The perinatal mortality rates before ENC, after ENC training, and after randomization to additional NRP training or continued care were compared. In addition, the influence of time following resuscitation training was investigated by examining change in perinatal mortality during sequential three-month increments following ENC training.ResultsMore than two-thirds of deliveries were attended by traditional birth attendants and occurred in homes; these proportions decreased after ENC training. There was no apparent decline in perinatal mortality when the outcome of all deliveries prior to ENC training was compared to those after ENC but before NRP training. However, there was a gradual but significant decline in perinatal mortality during the year following ENC training (RR 0.73; 95% CI: 0.56-0.96), which was independently associated with time following training. The decline was attributable to a decline in early neonatal mortality. NRP training had no demonstrable effect on early neonatal mortality.ConclusionTraining DRC birth attendants using the ENC program reduces perinatal mortality. However, a period of utilization and re-enforcement of training may be necessary before a decline in mortality occurs. ENC training has the potential to be a low cost, high impact intervention in developing countries.Trial registrationThis trial has been registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier NCT00136708).

Newborn resuscitation is a medical intervention to support the establishment of breathing and circulation in the immediate intrauterine life. It takes the lion's share in reducing neonatal mortality and impairments. Healthcare providers' knowledge and skills are the key determinants of the success of newborn resuscitation. Many primary studies have been conducted in various countries to examine the level of knowledge and skills of newborn resuscitation and associated factors among healthcare providers. However, these studies had great discrepancies and inconsistent results across East Africa. Hence, this review aimed to synthesize the pooled level of knowledge and skills of newborn resuscitation and associated factors among healthcare providers in East Africa. Studies were systematically searched from February 11, 2023, to March 10, 2023, using PubMed, Google Scholar, HINARI, and grey literature. The effect size measurement of knowledge and skill of health care newborn resuscitation was estimated using the Random Effect Model. The data were extracted by Excel and analyzed using Stata 17 software. The Cochran's Q test and I2 statistic were used to assess the heterogeneity of studies. The symmetry of the funnel plot and Egger's test were used to check for publication bias. A subgroup analysis was done on the study years, sample sizes, and geographical location. Percentages and odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI were used to pool the effect measure. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, a total of 1953 articles were retrieved from various databases and registers. Finally, 17 studies with 7655 participants were included. The overall levels of knowledge and skills of healthcare providers on newborn resuscitation were 58.74% (95% CI: 44.34%, 73.14%) and 46.20% (95% CI: 25.16%, 67.24%), respectively. Newborn resuscitation training (OR = 3.95, 95% CI: 2.82, 5.56) and the availability of newborn resuscitation guidelines (OR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.90, 3.86) were factors significantly associated with knowledge of health care professionals on newborn resuscitation. Work experience (OR = 5.92, 95% CI, 2.10, 16.70), newborn resuscitation training (OR = 2.83, 95% CI, 1.8, 4.45), knowledge (OR = 3.05, 95% CI, 1.78, 5.30), and the availability of newborn resuscitation equipment (OR = 4.92, 95% CI, 2.80, 8.62) were determinant factors of skills of health care professionals on newborn resuscitation. The knowledge and skills of healthcare providers on newborn resuscitation in East Africa were not adequate. Newborn resuscitation training and the availability of resuscitation guidelines were determinant factors of knowledge, whereas work experience, knowledge, and the availability of newborn resuscitation equipment and training were associated with the skills of healthcare providers in newborn resuscitation. Newborn resuscitation training, resuscitation guidelines and equipment availability, and work experience are recommended to improve healthcare providers' knowledge and skills.

Background:Neonatal resuscitation (NR) is a critical intervention to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with birth asphyxia. The effectiveness of NR practices by healthcare professionals (HCPs) significantly influences newborn outcomes. However, gaps in NR training and adherence to standardized resuscitation protocols may impact survival and long-term health. Evaluating NR practices and their association with neonatal outcomes can help identify areas for improvement and optimize neonatal care. Objective: To observe the NR practices of HCPs and their outcomes and to determine the associations between practices and outcomes. Study Design: Observational Cross-sectional study. Setting: The study was conducted in the neonatal resuscitation unit of a tertiary care hospital. Duration of Study: March 2024 to August 2024. Methods: One thousand six hundred and forty neonates were followed, and out of them, a total of 138 newborn resuscitations were observed by 46 HCPs using a predetermined adopted checklist. Newborns with birth asphyxia by the WHO criteria, as well as criteria defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, were included in the study. The complete bio-data of health care professionals was documented with their way of resuscitation. The observer was present in the resuscitation area every time a delivery was being conducted. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software. The chi-square test was used to determine the association between NR practices and outcomes at one hour. Result: 45.7% of the HCPs were within the age group of 26-30 years, with 55.2% as females. The majority of them are doctors, followed by nurses. 50.7% HCPs prepared the area for resuscitation, and only 18.8% identified a helper. 95.7% dried the baby, and 76.8% removed the wet cloth. 96.4% HCPs cleared the baby's airway. Meconium was present in 42% of neonates. Only 27.9% HCPs started BMV within the Golden minute (60s), 75% used the correct mask size and 96.9% observed chest movement. According to the level of practices by HCPs, good scores were as follows: 74.6% in Drying/Stimulating, 89.7% for Support Ventilation, 39.9% in Open Airway, 27.9 % for BMV, and in ABMW, 44.8% of HCPs demonstrated good practices. 16.7% neonates recovered well, 47.1% needed oxygen therapy, 29% required intensive care, and 7.2% died after 01 hour. Suctioning before the baby breathes (p-value .001), placing the baby's head in a neutral position (p-value = .013), initiation of BMV (p-value &lt;.05), and checking the baby's heart rate after 1 minute (p-value = .022) were associated with newborn outcomes at 1 hour. Conclusion: The Majority of the HCPs were inadequately trained for NR practices. However, a significant association among HCPs' NR practices (airway management and advanced resuscitation practices) and outcomes was observed. Structured and ongoing NR training for HCPs can improve practices and contribute to reduced newborn morbidity and mortality rates. Consequently, it will be helpful for lowering healthcare costs for families and the healthcare system and will contribute to the national economy..