Basics of Neonatal Care ✅

Question 1

Where should neonates be managed when possible?

Answer 1

On postnatal or transitional care wards

Question 2

Why should neonates be managed on postnatal or transitional care wards when possible?

Answer 2

To avoid separations from their mothers

Question 3

What % of infants are admitted to SCBU?

Answer 3

6-10%

Question 4

What % of infants are admitted to intensive care?

Answer 4

1-2%

Question 5

How is perinatal and neonatal care organised in the UK?

Answer 5

Into regional networks

Question 6

What happens to mothers or infants with significant medical problems?

Answer 6

They are referred to specialist tertiary centres

Question 7

What are the advantages of centralised tertiary perinatal and neonatal care?

Answer 7

• Brings together many specialists work as a team
• Allows experience of rare conditions to be developed and maintained
• Potentially provides better outcomes
• Facilitates staff training and research
• Minimises cost by avoiding duplication

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of certralised tertiary perinatal and neonatal care?

Answer 8

• Parents and family have to travel further from home
• Staff at other centres become de-skilled
• Establishes a hierarchy of care
• Good communication between all staff more difficult because of geographical separation
• Increased transfer of mothers and infants means specialist transport needs to be available
• Parents may encounter more healthcare professionals, with teams at both local and tertiary centres

Question 9

What do good outcomes in neonatal care require in terms of staff expertise?

Answer 9

Sufficient throughput for staff to establish and maintain expertise in complex conditions

Question 10

What evidence is there that large specialist units do not themselves guarantee good outcomes?

Answer 10

National and international comparisons of outcomes show marked variation between intensive care units

Question 11

What does the variation between intensive care units highlight the need for?

Answer 11

All units collecting and monitoring standardised outcome data and undertaking quality improvement programmes

Question 12

What are the main causes of morbidity and mortality of newborn infants?

Answer 12

• Prematurity
• Infection
• Jaundice
• Respiratory problems
• Neurological problems