Delivery room management of extremely low birthweight infants shows marked geographical variations in Italy. (24th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Trevisanuto, Daniele; Satariano, Irene; Doglioni, Nicoletta; Criscoli, Giulio; Cavallin, Francesco; Gizzi, Camilla; Martano, Claudio; Ciralli, Fabrizio; Torielli, Flaminia; Villani, Paolo E.; Di Fabio, Sandra; Quartulli, Lorenzo; Giannini, Luigi
• Is Part Of: Acta pædiatrica. Volume 103:Number 6(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 605
• Page End: 611
• Publication Date: 2014-03-24
• Subjects: Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pediatrics; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.12612
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-5253

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="apa12612-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="apa12612-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>To evaluate any geographical variations in practice and adherence to international guidelines for early delivery room management of extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants in the North, Centre and South of Italy.</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12612-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A questionnaire was sent to all 107 directors of Italian level III centres between April and August 2012.</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12612-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>There was a 92% (n = 98) response rate. A polyethylene bag/wrap was used by 54 centres (55.1%), with the highest rate in Northern Italy (77.5%) and the lowest rate in Southern (37.7%) areas. In Northern regions, one centre (2.5%) said it used oxygen concentrations >40% to initiate positive pressure ventilation in ELBW infants. These proportions were higher in the Central (14.3%) and Southern (16.2%) areas. A T‐piece device for positive pressure ventilation was more frequently available in the Northern (95%) units than in those in the Central (66.7%) and Southern (69.4%) regions. A median of 13% (IQR: 5%–30%) of ELBW infants received chest compressions at birth in Italy: 5%, 18% and 22% in Northern, Central and Southern units, respectively.</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12612-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>In Italy, delivery room management of ELBW infants showed marked geographical variations. Implementation of national training programmes could increase adherence to the guidelines and reduce such discordance.</p> </sec> </abstract>