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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Jan;97(1):222-228.
doi: 10.1038/s41390-024-03545-1. Epub 2024 Sep 28.

Teleneonatal or routine resuscitation in extremely preterm infants: a randomized simulation trial

Samuel J Gentle  1   2 , Sarah G Trulove  3 , Nicholas Rockwell  3 , Chrystal Rutledge  3 , Stacy Gaither  3 , Carrie Norwood  3 , Eric Wallace  4 , Waldemar A Carlo  3 , Nancy M Tofil  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Teleneonatal or routine resuscitation in extremely preterm infants: a randomized simulation trial

Samuel J Gentle et al. Pediatr Res. 2025 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: Teleneonatology, the use of telemedicine for newborn resuscitation and care, can connect experienced care providers with high-risk deliveries. In a simulated resuscitation, we hypothesized that teleneonatal resuscitation, compared to usual resuscitation, would reduce the no-flow fraction.

Study design: This was a single-center, randomized simulation trial in which pediatric residents were randomized to teleneonatal or routine resuscitation. The primary outcome was no-flow fraction defined as time without chest compressions divided by the time during which the heart rate was <60. Secondary outcomes included corrective modifications of bag-mask ventilation and times to intubation and epinephrine administration.

Results: Fifty-one residents completed the scenario. The no-flow fraction (median [IQR]) was significantly better in the teleneonatal group (0.06[0.05]) compared to the routine resuscitation group (0.07[0.82]); effect (95% CI): -16 (-43 to 0). Participants in the teleneonatal resuscitation group more frequently performed corrective modifications to bag-mask ventilation (60% vs 15%; p < 0.001). Time to intubation (214 s vs 230 s; p = 0.58) and epinephrine (395 s vs 444 s; p = 0.21) were comparable between groups.

Conclusions: In this randomized simulation trial of neonatal resuscitation, teleneonatal resuscitation reduced adverse delivery outcomes compared to routine care. Further in hospital evaluation of teleneonatology may substantiate this technology's impact on delivery outcomes.

Gov id: NCT04258722 IMPACT: Whereas telemedicine-supported neonatal resuscitation may improve the quality of resuscitation within hospital settings, unique challenges include the need for real-time, high-fidelity audio-video communication with a low failure rate. The no-flow fraction, which evaluates the quality of chest compressions when indicated, has been associated with survival in other clinical contexts. We report a reduction in no-flow fraction in neonatal resuscitations supported with telemedicine, in addition to improvements in the quality of neonatal resuscitation. Telemedicine-supported neonatal resuscitation may improve the quality of resuscitation within hospital settings without direct access to neonatologists.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Changes in vital signs during the simulation.
The noted changes in heart rate characteristics over time are indicated in response to participant interventions.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. CONSORT flow diagram.
Flow diagram depicts the number of participants excluded, recruited, and randomized during the trial.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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