Browsing by Subject "Low- to middle-income countries"

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    COHESION: core outcomes in neonatal encephalopathy (protocol)
    (BMC, 2021-02-08) Quirke, Fiona A.; Healy, Patricia; Ní Bhraonáin, Elaine; Daly, Mandy; Biesty, Linda; Hurley, Tim; Walker, Karen; Meher, Shireen; Haas, David M.; Bloomfield, Frank H.; Kirkham, Jamie J.; Molloy, Eleanor J.; Devane, Declan; Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine
    Background: Neonatal encephalopathy is a complex syndrome in infants that predominantly affects the brain and other organs. The leading cause is a lack of oxygen in the blood reaching the brain. Neonatal encephalopathy can result in mortality or complications later in life, including seizures, movement disorders and cerebral palsy. Treatment options for neonatal encephalopathy are limited mainly to therapeutic hypothermia, although other potential treatments are emerging. However, evaluations of the effectiveness of treatments are challenging because of heterogeneity and inconsistency in outcomes measured and reported between trials. In this paper, we detail how we will develop a core outcome set to standardise outcomes measured and reported upon for interventions for the treatment of neonatal encephalopathy. Methods: We will systematically review the literature to identify outcomes reported previously in randomised trials and systematic reviews of randomised trials. We will identify outcomes important to parents or caregivers of infants diagnosed with and who have received treatment for neonatal encephalopathy. We will do this by conducting in person or by video teleconferencing interviews with parents or caregivers in high-income and low- to middle-income countries. Stakeholders with expertise in neonatal encephalopathy (parents/caregivers, healthcare providers and researchers) will rate the importance of identified outcomes in an online Delphi survey using either a three-round Delphi survey or a "Real-Time" Delphi survey to which stakeholders will be allocated at random. Consensus meetings will take place by video conference to allow for an international group of stakeholder representatives to discuss and vote on the outcomes to include in the final core outcome set (COS). Discussion: More research is needed on treatments for neonatal encephalopathy. Standardising outcomes measured and reported in evaluations of the effectiveness of interventions for the treatment of neonatal encephalopathy will improve evidence synthesis and improve results reported in systematic reviews and meta-analysis in this area. Overall, this COS will allow for improved treatments to be identified, heterogeneity in research to be reduced, and overall patient care to be enhanced.
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    The Global Network Neonatal Cause of Death algorithm for low-resource settings
    (Wiley, 2017) Garces, Ana L.; McClure, Elizabeth M.; Pérez, Wilton; Hambidge, K. Michael; Krebs, Nancy F.; Figueroa, Lester; Bose, Carl L.; Carlo, Waldemar A.; Tenge, Constance; Esamai, Fabian; Goudar, Shivaprasad S.; Saleem, Sarah; Patel, Archana B.; Chiwila, Melody; Chomba, Elwyn; Tshefu, Antoinette; Derman, Richard J.; Hibberd, Patricia L.; Bucher, Sherri; Liechty, Edward A.; Bauserman, Melissa; Moore, Janet L.; Koso-Thomas, Marion; Miodovnik, Menachem; Goldenberg, Robert L.; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
    Aim: This study estimated the causes of neonatal death using an algorithm for low-resource areas, where 98% of the world's neonatal deaths occur. Methods: We enrolled women in India, Pakistan, Guatemala, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Zambia from 2014 to 2016 and tracked their delivery and newborn outcomes for up to 28 days. Antenatal care and delivery symptoms were collected using a structured questionnaire, clinical observation and/or a physical examination. The Global Network Cause of Death algorithm was used to assign the cause of neonatal death, analysed by country and day of death. Results: One-third (33.1%) of the 3068 neonatal deaths were due to suspected infection, 30.8% to prematurity, 21.2% to asphyxia, 9.5% to congenital anomalies and 5.4% did not have a cause of death assigned. Prematurity and asphyxia-related deaths were more common on the first day of life (46.7% and 52.9%, respectively), while most deaths due to infection occurred after the first day of life (86.9%). The distribution of causes was similar to global data reported by other major studies. Conclusion: The Global Network algorithm provided a reliable cause of neonatal death in low-resource settings and can be used to inform public health strategies to reduce mortality.