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. 2021 Nov;41(11):2631-2638.
doi: 10.1038/s41372-021-01040-7. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Oxygen management among infants in neonatal units in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional survey

Scott K Herrod  1 , Alex Stevenson  2 , Yvonne E Vaucher  3 , Scott R Lambert  4 , Sherwin J Isenberg  5 , Vivien L Yap  6 , V Chinyere Ezeaka  7 , Waldemar A Carlo  8
Affiliations

Oxygen management among infants in neonatal units in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional survey

Scott K Herrod et al. J Perinatol. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: To provide more comprehensive data on the management of oxygen supplementation in neonates in sub-Saharan Africa.

Study design: An online survey on the management of oxygen supplementation for infants in neonatal units was sent to 278 healthcare personnel in sub-Saharan Africa.

Results: One hundred and nine responses from 82 neonatal care units in 54% (26/48) sub-Saharan African countries were received. All units had the capacity to provide oxygen supplementation. However, only 50% (38/76) had access to blend oxygen with medical air and 1% (1/75) had the capacity to blend oxygen/air for every infant. Although 96% (72/75) of units could monitor oxygen saturation, monitoring was mostly intermittent and only 32% (24/75) were able to monitor oxygen saturation in every infant receiving oxygen supplementation.

Conclusions: Findings indicate that oxygen supplementation is inadequately managed in neonatal units in sub-Saharan Africa, which may put infants at risk of developing severe ROP.

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Conflict of interest statement

SKH declares time support during research project from Brigham Young University College of Life Sciences. WAC declares personal fees from Mednax, outside the submitted work. The other authors have no conflict of interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Neonatal care units in sub-Saharan Africa who responded to our survey.
Some neonatal care units were in close proximity to each other and the individual points may not be distinguished from one another.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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