Delivery Room Management of Infants with Very Low Birth Weight in 3 European Countries—The Video Apgar Study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Burkhard Simma - , Landeskrankenhaus Feldkirch (Author)
  • Susanne Walter - , University of Göttingen (Author)
  • Dimitrios Konstantelos - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Jeroen van Vonderen - , Leiden University (Author)
  • Arjan B. te Pas - , Leiden University (Author)
  • Mario Rüdiger - , Department of Paediatrics, Center for feto/neonatal Health, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Helmut Küster - , University of Göttingen (Author)

Abstract

Objective: To assess delivery room management of infants born preterm at 4 Level III perinatal centers in 3 European countries. Study design: This was a prospective, multicenter observational study. Management at birth was video-recorded and evaluated (Interact version 9.6.1; Mangold-International, Arnstorf, Germany). Data were analyzed and compared within and between centers. Results: The infants (n = 138) differed significantly with respect to the median (25%, 75%) birth weight (grams) (Center A: 1200 [700, 1550]; Center B: 990 [719, 1240]; Center C: 1174 [835, 1435]; Center D: 1323 [971, 1515] [B vs A, C, D: P <.05]), gestational week (Center A: 28.4 [26.3, 30.0]; Center B: 27.9 [26.7, 29.6]; Center C: 29.3 [26.4, 31.0]; Center D: 30.3 [28.0, 31.9]), Apgar scores, rates of cesarean delivery, and time spent in the delivery room. Management differed significantly for frequency and drying time, rates of electrocardiographic monitoring, suctioning or stimulation, and for fundamental interventions such as time for achieving a reliable peripheral oxygen saturation signal (seconds) (Center A: 97.6 ± 79.3; Center B: 65.1 ± 116.2; Center C: 97.1 ± 67.0; Center D: 114.4 ± 140.5; B vs A, C, D: P <.001) and time for intubation (seconds) (Center A: 48.7 ± 4.2; Center B: 49.0 ± 30.7; Center C: 69.1 ±37.9; Center D: 65.1 ± 23.8; B vs D, P <.025). Mean procedural times did not meet guideline recommendations. The sequence of interventions was similar at all centers. Conclusions: The Video Apgar Study showed great variability in and between 4 neonatal centers in Europe. The study also showed it is difficult to adhere to published guidelines for recommended times for important, basic measures such as peripheral oxygen saturation measurements and intubation.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)106-111.e2
JournalJournal of Pediatrics
Volume222
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2020
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 32418815

Keywords

Keywords

  • apgar score, infant born preterm, neonatal intensive care, neonatal resuscitation, quality improvement, video recording