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Background Research findings are not rapidly or fully implemented into policies and practice in care. Objectives To assess whether an ‘active’ strategy was more likely to lead to changes in policy and practice in preterm baby care than traditional information dissemination. Design Cluster randomised trial. Participants 180 neonatal units (87 active, 93 control) in England; clinicians from active arm units; babies born <27 weeks gestation. Control arm Dissemination of research report; slides; information about newborn care position statement. Active arm As above plus offer to become ‘regional ‘champion’ (attend two workshops, support clinicians to implement research evidence regionally), or attend one workshop, promote implementation of research evidence locally. Main outcome measures timing of surfactant administration; admission temperature; staffing of resuscitation team present at birth. Results 48/87 Lead clinicians in the active arm attended one or both workshops. There was no evidence of difference in post-intervention policies between trial arms. Practice outcomes based on babies in the active (169) and control arms (186), in 45 and 49 neonatal units respectively, showed active arm babies were more likely to have been given surfactant on labour ward (RR=1.30; 95% CI 0.99 to1.70); p=0.06); to have a higher temperature on admission to neonatal intensive care unit (mean difference=0.29oC; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.55; p=0.03); and to have had the baby's trunk delivered into a plastic bag (RR=1.27; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.60; p=0.04) than the control group. The effect on having an ‘ideal’ resuscitation team at birth was in the same direction of benefit for the active arm (RR=1.18; 95% CI 0.97 to 1.43; p=0.09). The costs of the intervention were modest. Conclusions This is the first trial to evaluate methods for transferring information from neonatal research into local policies and practice in England. An active approach to research dissemination is both feasible and cost-effective. Trial registration Current controlled trials ISRCTN89683698

Improving quality of intrapartum care will reduce intrapartum stillbirth and neonatal mortality, especially in resource-poor settings. Basic neonatal resuscitation can reduce intrapartum stillbirth and early neonatal mortality, if delivered in a high-quality health system, but there is a dearth of evidence on how to scale up such evidence-based interventions. We evaluated the scaling up of a quality improvement (QI) package for neonatal resuscitation on intrapartum-related mortality (intrapartum stillbirth and first day mortality) at hospitals in Nepal. We conducted a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial in 12 hospitals over a period of 18 months from April 14, 2017, to October 17, 2018. The hospitals were assigned to one of four wedges through random allocation. The QI package was implemented in a stepped-wedge manner with a delay of three months for each step. The QI package included improving hospital leadership on intrapartum care, building health workers' competency on neonatal resuscitation, and continuous facilitated QI processes in clinical units. An independent data collection system was set up at each hospital to gather data on mortality through patient case note review and demographic characteristics of women using semi-structured exit interviews. The generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) and multivariate logistic regression were used for analyses. During this study period, a total of 89,014 women-infant pairs were enrolled. The mean age of the mother in the study period was 24.0 ± 4.3 years, with 54.9% from disadvantaged ethnic groups and 4.0% of them illiterate. Of the total birth cohort, 54.4% were boys, 16.7% had gestational age less than 37 weeks, and 17.1% had birth weight less than 2,500 grams. The incidence of intrapartum-related mortality was 11.0 per 1,000 births during the control period and 8.0 per 1,000 births during the intervention period (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.69-0.92; p = 0.002; intra-cluster correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.0286). The incidence of early neonatal mortality was 12.7 per 1,000 live births during the control period and 10.1 per 1,000 live births during the intervention period (aOR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.78-1.02; p = 0.09; ICC, 0.1538). The use of bag-and-mask ventilation for babies with low Apgar score (<7 at 1 minute) increased from 3.2% in the control period to 4.0% in the intervention period (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.32-1.77, p = 0.003). There were two major limitations to the study; although a large sample of women-infant pairs were enrolled in the study, the clustering reduced the power of the study. Secondly, the study was not sufficiently powered to detect reduction in early neonatal mortality with the number of clusters provided. These results suggest scaled-up implementation of a QI package for neonatal resuscitation can reduce intrapartum-related mortality and improve clinical care. The QI intervention package is likely to be effective in similar settings. More implementation research is required to assess the sustainability of QI interventions and quality of care. ISRCTN30829654.

Background High-quality neonatal intensive care can prevent a significant proportion of neonatal deaths. A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is essential for managing life-threatening complications among small and sick newborns. However, little is known about the quality of neonatal intensive care units in Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the pooled proportion of neonates who received essential quality of care in NICUs, assess care outcomes, and investigate variability across care elements. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using studies reporting neonatal care from African countries, following the PRISMA guidelines. Process quality of care is measured as the proportion of neonates who received essential care elements in the NICUs. Neonatal care outcome quality is evaluated by neonatal health outcomes, including survival, mortality, full enteral feeding, sepsis, weight gain, and hypothermia within the first 28 days of the NICU stay. Data were extracted from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane, as well as Google Scholar and grey literature, from July to August 2025. Quality appraisal checklists and tools were employed from the Cochrane risk of bias assessment for randomized trials, and the Joanna Briggs Institute for observational studies. Narrative analysis and meta-analysis were performed, presenting pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity (I 2 ) was assessed, and findings were summarized using tables and forest plots. Results Among neonates admitted to NICUs, pooled estimates of essential quality of care in African studies were 0.78 (95%CI: 0.64–0.93) for vital signs monitoring, 0.65 (95%CI: 0.44–0.87) for antibiotic use, 0.46 (95%CI: 0.34–0.58) for oxygen therapy, 0.52 (95%CI: 0.30–0.74) for trophic feeding, 0.51 (95%CI: 0.33–0.70) for CPAP use, and 0.55 (95%CI: 0.33–0.77) for thermal care. For clinical outcomes, the pooled incidence was 0.58 (95%CI: 0.31–0.86) for hypothermia, 0.34 (95%CI: 0.11–0.57) for sepsis, 0.19 (95%CI: 0.14–0.23) for mortality, and 0.76 (95%CI: 0.69–0.82) for recovery. Conclusion A small proportion of neonates admitted to NICUs in Africa received essential quality of care, highlighting the need for targeted strategies, including quality improvement initiatives and capacity building, to enhance neonatal care and reduce adverse outcomes.

BackgroundFollowing delivery, extremely premature infants are vulnerable to rapid development of hypothermia and hypoglycemia. To reduce local rates of these morbidities, a multidisciplinary team developed a protocol standardizing evidence-based care practices during the first hour after birth.MethodsUsing quality improvement methodology, the Golden Hour protocol was implemented for all inborn infants <27 weeks’ gestation. Data were collected (2012–2017) over three phases; pre-protocol (n = 80), Phase I (n = 42), and Phase II (n = 92).ResultsThere were no significant differences in infant characteristics. Improvements in hypothermia (59% vs 26% vs 38%; p = 0.001), hypoglycemia (18% vs 7% vs 4%; p = 0.012), and minutes to completion of stabilization [median (Q1,Q3) 110 (89,138) vs 111 (94,135) vs 92 (74,129); p = 0.0035] were observed.ConclusionsImplementation of an evidence-based, Golden Hour protocol is an effective intervention for reducing hypothermia and hypoglycemia in extremely premature infants.

We previously demonstrated improvement in bronchopulmonary dysplasia and nosocomial infection among preterm infants at 12 neonatal units using the Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality (EPIQ). In the current study, we assessed the association of Canada-wide implementation of EPIQ with mortality and morbidity among preterm infants less than 29 weeks gestational age. This prospective cohort study included 6026 infants admitted to 25 Canadian units between 2008 and 2012 (baseline year, n = 1422; year 1, n = 1611; year 2, n = 1508; year 3, n = 1485). Following a 1-year baseline period and 6 months of training and planning, EPIQ was implemented over 3 years. Our primary outcome was a composite of neonatal mortality and any of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, severe neurologic injury, severe retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis and nosocomial infection. We compared outcomes for baseline and year 3 using multivariable analyses. In adjusted analyses comparing baseline with year 3, the composite outcome (70% v. 65%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51 to 0.79), severe retinopathy (17% v. 13%; OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.79), necrotizing enterocolitis (10% v. 8%; OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.98) and nosocomial infections (32% v. 24%; OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.82) were significantly reduced. The composite outcome was lower among infants born at 26 to 28 weeks gestation (62% v. 52%; OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.78) but not among infants born at less than 26 weeks gestational age (90% v. 88%; OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.20). EPIQ methodology was generalizable within Canada and was associated with significantly lower likelihood of the composite outcome, severe retinopathy, necrotizing enterocolitis and nosocomial infections. Infants born at 26 to 28 weeks gestational age benefited the most.

Many centres now report that more than half of babies born at 22 weeks survive and most survivors are neurocognitively intact. Still, many centres do not offer life-sustaining treatment to babies born this prematurely. Arguments for not offering active treatment reflect concerns about survival rates, rates of neurodevelopmental impairment and cost. In this essay, I examine each of these arguments and find them ethically problematic. I suggest that current data ought to lead to two changes. First, institutional culture should change at institutions that do not offer treatment to babies born at 22 weeks. Second, we need more research to understand best practices for these tiny babies.

Abstract Objective: to analyze the reliability of the items that compose the instrument for classifying newborns according to the degree of dependence on nursing care in a neonatal intensive care unit. Method: methodological study that analyzed the agreement and reliability of the instrument in a neonatal intensive care unit. Six care nurses and a research nurse assessed 35 newborns and completed the instrument, which was made up of 15 areas of care. The weighted Kappa coefficient and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient were used for analysis. Results: the areas of: weight (92%), oxygenation (93%) and catheter control (95%) had almost perfect agreement and the area of reaction to stimuli (50%) had poor agreement. The areas of elimination and vital signs showed low reliability, due to the low variability of responses. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.94. Conclusion: there are variations in the evaluations of some areas of care due to the imprecise description of items to which scores are assigned, however the instrument is reliable for categorizing the type of care (minimal, intermediate and intensive). Its use can contribute to measuring the quality and safety of newborn care. Resumo Objetivo: analisar a confiabilidade dos itens que compõem o instrumento para classificação de recém-nascido de acordo com o grau de dependência dos cuidados de enfermagem em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal. Método: estudo metodológico que analisou a concordância e a confiança do instrumento em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal. Seis enfermeiros assistenciais e uma enfermeira pesquisadora avaliaram 35 recém-nascidos e preencheram o instrumento, composto por 15 áreas de cuidado. O coeficiente Kappa ponderado e o Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse foram utilizados para análise. Resultados: as áreas peso (92%), oxigenação (93%) e controle de cateteres (95%) obtiveram concordância quase perfeita, e a área reação a estímulos (50%) obteve concordância fraca. As áreas eliminações e sinais vitais apresentaram baixa confiabilidade, devido à pouca variabilidade de respostas. O Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse foi de 0,94. Conclusão: há variações nas avaliações de algumas áreas de cuidado devido à descrição imprecisa de itens aos quais são atribuídos escores, entretanto, o instrumento é confiável para categorização do tipo de cuidado (mínimo, intermediário e intensivo). Sua utilização pode contribuir para o dimensionamento de qualidade e para a segurança da assistência ao recém-nascido. Resumen Objetivo: analizar la confiabilidad de los ítems que componen el instrumento para clasificación de recién nacido de acuerdo con el grado de dependencia de los cuidados de enfermería en una unidad de terapia de cuidados intensivos neonatal. Método: estudio metodológico que analizó la concordancia y la confianza del instrumento en una unidad de terapia de cuidados intensivos neonatal. Seis enfermeros asistenciales y una enfermera investigadora evaluaron 35 recién nacidos y completaron el instrumento, compuesto por 15 áreas de cuidado. El coeficiente Kappa ponderado y el Coeficiente de Correlación Intraclase fueron utilizados para el análisis. Resultados: las áreas peso (92%), oxigenación (93%) y control de catéteres (95%) obtuvieron una concordancia casi perfecta y el área reacción a estímulos (50%) obtuvo una concordancia débil. Las áreas eliminaciones y signos vitales presentaron baja confiabilidad, debido a la poca variabilidad de respuestas. El Coeficiente de Correlación Intraclase fue de 0,94. Conclusión: hay variaciones en las evaluaciones de algunas áreas de cuidado debido a la descripción imprecisa de ítems a los cuales se les atribuyen puntuaciones, sin embargo, el instrumento es confiable para la categorización del tipo de cuidado (mínimo, intermedio e intensivo). Su utilización puede contribuir a la planificación de calidad y a la seguridad de la atención al recién nacido.

Background Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is nowadays an essential tool in critical care. Its role seems more important in neonates and children where other monitoring techniques may be unavailable. POCUS Working Group of the European Society of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care (ESPNIC) aimed to provide evidence-based clinical guidelines for the use of POCUS in critically ill neonates and children. Methods Creation of an international Euro-American panel of paediatric and neonatal intensivists expert in POCUS and systematic review of relevant literature. A literature search was performed, and the level of evidence was assessed according to a GRADE method. Recommendations were developed through discussions managed following a Quaker-based consensus technique and evaluating appropriateness using a modified blind RAND/UCLA voting method. AGREE statement was followed to prepare this document. Results Panellists agreed on 39 out of 41 recommendations for the use of cardiac, lung, vascular, cerebral and abdominal POCUS in critically ill neonates and children. Recommendations were mostly (28 out of 39) based on moderate quality of evidence (B and C). Conclusions Evidence-based guidelines for the use of POCUS in critically ill neonates and children are now available. They will be useful to optimise the use of POCUS, training programs and further research, which are urgently needed given the weak quality of evidence available.

ObjectiveOur specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-limited (SMART) aim was to reduce the incidence of severe intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) among preterm infants born <30 weeks’ gestation from a baseline of 24% (January 2012–December 2013) to a long-term average of 11% by December 2015.Study designWe instituted an ICH bundle consisting of elements of the “golden hour” (delayed cord clamping, optimized cardiopulmonary resuscitation, improved thermoregulation) and provision of cluster care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We identified key drivers to achieve our SMART aims, and implemented quality improvement (QI) cycles: initiation of the ICH bundle, education of NICU staff, and emphasis on sustained adherence. We excluded infants born outside our facility and those with congenital anomalies.ResultsUsing statistical process control analysis (p-chart), the ICH bundle was associated with successful reduction in severe ICH (grade 3–4) in our NICU from a prebundle rate of 24% (January 2012–December 2013) to a sustained reduction over the next 4 years to an average rate of 9.7% by December 2017. Results during 2016–2017 showed a sustained improvement beyond the goal for 2014–2015. Over the same interval, there was improvement in admission temperatures [median 36.1 °C (interquartile range: 35.3–36.7 °C) vs. 37.1 °C (36.8–37.5 °C), p < 0.01] and a decrease in mortality rate [pre: 16/117 (14%) vs. post: 16/281 (6%), P < 0.01].ConclusionOur multidisciplinary QI initiative decreased severe ICH in our institution from a baseline rate of 24% to a lower rate of 9.7% over the ensuing 4 years. Intensive focus on sustained implementation of an ICH bundle protocol consisting of improved delivery room management, thermoregulation, and clustered care in the NICU was temporally associated with a clinically significant reduction in severe ICH.

Background The Improvement of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Practices and Team Approach Cluster-randomized Controlled Trial (INTACT) tested a multidisciplinary quality improvement (QI) program but did not show improved survival without neurodevelopmental impairment at 3 years among infants with very low birthweight. However, the program’s potential effect on acute-phase outcomes in extremely preterm infants (< 28 weeks of gestation) warrants further evaluation. This secondary analysis aimed to assess the effect of the INTACT study’s QI intervention based on participatory learning and action on acute morbidities during the NICU stay and outcomes at 3 years of age. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of data from the INTACT trial, a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in 40 Japanese NICUs from 2012–2014. Infants were stratified into two gestational age groups (22–24 weeks and 25–27 weeks). The primary outcome was a composite of seven acute morbidities (pulmonary air leak syndrome, pulmonary hemorrhage, sepsis, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, intestinal perforation, necrotizing enterocolitis, or circulatory collapse) between the intervention (QI program) and control groups. Secondary outcomes included chronic morbidities diagnosed before NICU discharge and long-term outcomes at 3 years of age. Multivariable logistic regression and Holm’s correction for multiple comparisons were applied. Results In the 25–27-week subgroup, the intervention group showed a significantly lower rate of composite acute morbidity than the control group (31.3% vs. 40.3%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.67; 95% confidence interval 0.50–0.90; p  = 0.008). In the 22–24-week subgroup, composite acute morbidity did not differ significantly; however, sepsis (adjusted OR: 0.44, Holm-adjusted p  = 0.010) and pulmonary hemorrhage (adjusted OR: 0.27, Holm-adjusted p  = 0.028) were significantly reduced. After multivariable adjustment and Holm correction, no differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3 years of age were observed between groups. Conclusions This secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized controlled trial demonstrated that the intervention group receiving a NICU-specific QI program had reduced acute-phase morbidities, particularly among infants born between 22 and 27 weeks of gestation. Our findings highlight the potential for widespread clinical implementation of QI programs based on participatory learning and action in neonatal intensive care.