Predictors of death including quality of positive pressure ventilation during newborn resuscitation and the relationship to outcome at seven days in a rural Tanzanian hospital

Authors

Robert Moshiro, Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam
Jeffrey M. Perlman, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York
Hussein Kidanto, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Jan Terje Kvaløy, Stavanger University Hospital, Norway
Paschal Mdoe, Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Manyara, Tanzania
Hege L. Ersdal, Stavanger University Hospital, Norway

Document Type

Article

Department

Obstetrics and Gynaecology (East Africa)

Abstract

Background Effective positive pressure ventilation (PPV) of non-breathing newborns is crucial in facilitating cardio-respiratory adaptation at birth. Identifying predictors of death in newborns receiving PPV is important in order to facilitate preventative strategies.

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the perinatal predictors of death including the quality of PPV administered among admitted newborns.

Methods An observational study of admitted newborns who received PPV after birth was conducted. Research assistants observed all deliveries and recorded perinatal events on data collection forms. Measured heart rate (HR) and ventilation parameters were then compared between newborns who died and survivors.

Results Newborns (n = 232) were studied between October 2014 and November 2016. Newborns who died (n = 53) compared to survivors (n = 179) had more fetal heart rate (FHRT) abnormalities (12/53 vs 19/179; p = 0.03); lower initial HR (/minute) at start of PPV (44/48 vs 77/139; p100 beats/minute from birth (180 vs 149 seconds; p = 0.07). Newborns who died compared to survivors took longer time (14 vs 4 seconds; p = 0.008) and more inflations (7 vs 3; p = 0.006) to achieve an expired volume (Vt) of 6 ml/kg, respectively. Median delivered Vt during the first 60 seconds of PPV was less in newborns who died compared to survivors (5 vs 6 ml/kg; p = 0.12). Newborns who died proceeded to severe encephalopathy (15/31 vs 1/59; p

Conclusion Depressed newborns who proceeded to death compared to survivors, exhibited delayed HR response to PPV which may partly reflect FHRT abnormalities related to interruption of placental blood flow, and/or a timely delay in establishing adequate Vt. Depressed newborns progressed to moderate/severe encephalopathy. Improving FHRT monitoring to identify fetuses at risk for expedited delivery, coupled with optimizing delivery room PPV might decrease mortality in this setting.

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

PLoS One

Recommended Citation

Moshiro, R., Perlman, J. M., Kidanto, H., Kvaløy, J. T., Mdoe, P., & Ersdal, H. L. (2018). Predictors of death including quality of positive pressure ventilation during newborn resuscitation and the relationship to outcome at seven days in a rural Tanzanian hospital. PloS one, 13(8), e0202641.