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Evidence · Research paper

NICU Admissions for Meconium Aspiration Syndrome before and after a National Resuscitation Program Suctioning Guideline Change.

Research paperVermont Oxford Network2019Over 5 years oldFull text
  • Cardiovascular
  • Delivery room and stabilisation
  • Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and cooling
  • Mechanical ventilation
  • Meconium aspiration
  • Medical
  • Newborn life support
  • Nursing
  • Persistent pulmonary hypertension
  • Respiratory

This paper is from 2019, more than five years ago. Newer evidence may have been published since.

Summary

Observational cohort study using Vermont Oxford Network data from 311 US centres comparing NICU admissions of infants at 35 weeks' gestation or more before (2013-2015) and after (2017) the Neonatal Resuscitation Program change that stopped recommending routine endotracheal suctioning of non-vigorous infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid. NICU admissions for meconium aspiration syndrome and delivery room tracheal suctioning both fell, without an increase in severe respiratory support. Surfactant use rose, and mortality and moderate/severe HIE increased slightly but not significantly. The authors caution that study limitations preclude concluding the new guideline is safe or effective.

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