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BACKGROUND: International guidelines for resuscitation recommend using positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) during ventilation of preterm newborns. Reliable PEEP-valves for self-inflating bags have been lacking, and effects of PEEP during resuscitation of term newborns are insufficiently studied. The objective was to determine if adding a new PEEP valve to the bag-mask during resuscitation of term and near-term newborns could improve heart rate response. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was performed at Haydom Lutheran Hospital in Tanzania (September 2016 to June 2018). Helping Babies Breathe–trained midwives performed newborn resuscitation using self-inflating bags with or without a new, integrated PEEP valve. All live-born newborns who received bag-mask ventilation at birth were eligible. Heart rate response measured by ECG was the primary outcome, and clinical outcome and ventilation data were recorded. RESULTS: Among 417 included newborns (median birth weight 3200 g), 206 were ventilated without and 211 with PEEP. We found no difference in heart rate response. Median (interquartile range) measured PEEP in the PEEP group was 4.7 (2.0–5.6) millibar. The PEEP group received lower tidal volumes (4.9 [1.9–8.2] vs 6.3 [3.9–10.5] mL/kg; P = .02) and had borderline lower expired CO2 (2.9 [1.5–4.3] vs 3.3 [1.9–5.0] %; P = .05). Twenty four-hour mortality was 9% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence for improved heart rate response during bag-mask ventilation with PEEP compared with no PEEP. The PEEP valve delivered a median PEEP within the intended range. The findings do not support routine use of PEEP during resuscitation of newborns around term.

Aims Effective ventilation is crucial to save non-breathing newborns. We compared standard equipment for newborn resuscitation to a new Upright bag, in an area with high neonatal mortality. Methods Newborns requiring resuscitation at Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Tanzania, were ventilated with 230 ml standard or 320 ml Upright bag-mask by weekly non-blinded block randomisation. A Laerdal Newborn Resuscitation Monitor collected ventilation data through a flow sensor between mask and bag and heart rate with electrocardiography electrodes. Primary outcome was expiratory tidal volume per birth weight. Results Of 6110 babies born, 136 randomised to standard bag-mask and 192 to Upright, both groups had similar birth weight, gestational age, Apgar scores, gender, and mode of delivery. Compared to standard bag-mask, Upright gave higher median expiratory tidal volume (8.6 ml/kg (IQR: 3.5–13.8) vs. 10.0 ml/kg (IQR: 4.3–16.8) difference ratio 1.29, 95%CI 1.05, 1.58, p = 0.014)), increased mean airway and peak inspiratory pressures, and higher early expired CO2 (median at 20 s 4.2% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.0099). Clinical outcome 30 min post-delivery was normal in 44% with standard versus 57% with Upright (p = 0.016), but similar at 24 h. Conclusion and relevance Upright provided higher expired tidal volume, MAP, PIP and early ECO2 than the standard bag. Clinical outcome differed at 30 min, but not at 24 h. Larger volume of Upright than standard bag can be an important factor. The results are relevant for low- and high-income settings as ventilatory and heart rate parameters during resuscitation of newborns are rarely reported. Trial registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT01869582 .

Background and aimThe Helping Babies Breathe program gave major reductions in perinatal mortality in Tanzania from 2009 to 2012. We aimed to study whether this effect was sustained, and whether resuscitation skills changed with continued frequent training.MethodsWe analysed prospective data covering all births (n = 19,571) at Haydom Lutheran Hospital in Tanzania from July 2013 -June 2018. Resuscitation training was continued during this period. All deliveries were monitored by an observer recording the timing of events and resuscitation interventions. Heart rate was recorded by dry-electrode ECG and bag-mask-ventilation by sensors attached to the resuscitator device. We analyzed changes over time in outcomes, use of resuscitation interventions and performance of resuscitation using binary regression models with the log-link function to obtain adjusted relative risks.ResultsWith introduction of user fees for deliveries since 2014, the number of deliveries decreased by 30% from start to the end of the five-year period. An increase in low heart rate at birth and need for bag-mask-ventilation indicate a gradual selection of more vulnerable newborns delivered in the hospital over time. Despite this selection, newborn deaths ConclusionThe reduction in 24-hour newborn mortality after introduction of Helping Babies Breathe was maintained, and a further decrease over the five-year period was evident when analyses were adjusted for vulnerability of the newborns. Perinatal survival and performance of ventilation were significantly improved.

BackgroundExpired carbon dioxide (ECO2) indicates degree of lung aeration immediately after birth. Favourable ventilation techniques may be associated with higher ECO2 and a faster increase. Clinical condition will however also affect measured values. The aim of this study was to explore the relative impact of ventilation factors and clinical factors on ECO2 during bag-mask ventilation of near-term newborns.MethodsObservational study performed in a Tanzanian rural hospital. Side-stream measures of ECO2, ventilation data, heart rate and clinical information were recorded in 434 bag-mask ventilated newborns with initial heart rate 2 by clinical factors (birth weight, Apgar scores and initial heart rate) and ventilation factors (expired tidal volume, ventilation frequency, mask leak and inflation pressure) in random intercept models and Cox regression for time to ECO2 >2%.ResultsECO2 rose non-linearly with increasing expired tidal volume up to >10 mL/kg, and sufficient tidal volume was critical for the time to reach ECO2 >2%. Ventilation frequency around 30/min was associated with the highest ECO2. Higher birth weight, Apgar scores and initial heart rate were weak, but significant predictors for higher ECO2. Ventilation factors explained 31% of the variation in ECO2 compared with 11% for clinical factors.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that higher tidal volumes than currently recommended and a low ventilation frequency around 30/min are associated with improved lung aeration during newborn resuscitation. Low ECO2 may be used to identify unfavourable ventilation technique. Clinical factors are also associated with persistently low ECO2 and must be accounted for in the interpretation.

Objective Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) is beneficial when ventilating preterm newborns. The aim was to study whether inexperienced providers were able to generate PEEP during simulated neonatal ventilation, using two novel prototype PEEP valves, on a self-inflating bag without an external gas source. Design Forty-six nursing students in Tanzania were trained in ventilation with a new Laerdal Upright resuscitator and mask on a NeoNatalie manikin with a newborn resuscitation monitor. Ventilation was studied with and without PEEP valve 1 (anticipated level 4–5 cm H 2 O) and with and without PEEP valve 2 (anticipated level 9–10 cm H 2 O) in random order for normal and low ‘lung’ compliance. The PEEP valves were concave silicone valves with a small slit that would open to let expiratory air out. Results Mean PEEP with PEEP1 was 4.4 cm H 2 O (SD 2.2) and with PEEP2 was 4.9 cm H 2 O (SD 3.1). PEEP ≥4 cm H 2 O was generated with 70% of inflations with PEEP1 and 65% with PEEP2. Mean airway pressure was 16.3 cm H 2 O with both PEEP valves compared with 14.2 without PEEP (p Conclusions PEEP between 4 cm H 2 O and 5 cm H 2 O was achieved when ventilating a neonatal manikin using a self-inflating bag and novel PEEP valves. Valves that can generate PEEP without external gas sources may aid resuscitation in resource-limited settings.

To compare ventilation properties and user preference of a new upright neonatal resuscitator developed for easier cleaning, reduced complexity, and possibly improved ventilation properties, with the standard Laerdal neonatal resuscitator.Eighty-seven Tanzanian and Norwegian nursing and medical students without prior knowledge of newborn resuscitation were briefly trained in bag-mask ventilation. The two resuscitators were used in random order on a manikin connected to a test lung with normal or low lung compliance. Data were collected with the Laerdal Newborn Resuscitation Monitor. The students graded mask seal and ease of air entry on a four-point scale ranging from 1 ('difficult') to 4 ('easy') and stated which device they preferred. (Equipment from Laerdal Global Health and Laerdal Medical).For upright versus standard resuscitator and normal lung compliance, mean expiratory lung volume was 15.5 mL vs 13.9 mL (p=0.001), mean mask leakage 48% vs 58% (p0.001), and mean airway pressure 20 cm H2O vs 19 cm H2O (p=0.003), respectively. For low lung compliance, mean expiratory lung volume was 8.6 mL vs 8.1 mL (p=0.045), mean mask leakage 53% vs 62% (p0.001), and mean airway pressure 21 cm H2O vs 20 cm H2O (p=0.004) for upright versus standard. The upright resuscitator was preferred by 82% and 68% of students during ventilation with normal and low lung compliance, respectively (p=0.001).Expiratory volumes were higher, mask leakage lower, and mean airway pressure slightly higher with upright versus standard resuscitator when ventilating a manikin. The majority of students preferred the upright resuscitator.