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Neurocognitive impairment after neonatal sepsis: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Jen Heng Pek1, Bei Jun Yap2, Ming Ying Gan2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore.
Insights
Neonatal sepsis can impact brain development, leading to neurodevelopmental impairment and intellectual disability in survivors. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on long-term neurocognitive outcomes in these children.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal medicine
- Neuroscience
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Neonatal sepsis is a serious infection in newborns, but its long-term effects on brain development are not fully understood.
- Understanding neurodevelopmental outcomes is crucial for affected infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize evidence on neurodevelopmental impairment and intellectual disability in neonatal sepsis survivors.
- To inform about long-term neurocognitive outcomes and assessment methods.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between 2010-2019.
- Searched PubMed, Cochrane Central, Embase, and Web of Science for relevant clinical trials and observational studies.
- Assessed quality and risk of bias using established tools; results synthesized qualitatively and pooled for meta-analysis.
Main Results:
- Data synthesis will determine the prevalence and nature of neurodevelopmental impairments.
- Analysis will identify specific neurocognitive deficits associated with neonatal sepsis.
- Evaluation of assessment measures used in documented cases.
Conclusions:
- This review will clarify the long-term neurocognitive sequelae of neonatal sepsis.
- Findings will guide clinical practice and future research in managing sepsis survivors.
- Evidence synthesis will highlight the need for early neurodevelopmental monitoring.
Introduction:
The effect of neonatal sepsis on the developing brain is not well documented. We aim to perform evidence synthesis to determine the outcome of neurodevelopmental impairment and intellectual disability among survivors of neonatal sepsis. The data gathered will inform on the long-term neurocognitive outcomes of neonates with sepsis and the measures used to document their developmental disability.
Methods And Analysis:
We will perform a search based on the following parameters: neonates and infants less than 90 days old diagnosed with sepsis who had neurocognitive outcomes or measures of developmental disability reported. We will search PubMed, Cochrane Central, Embase and Web of Science for articles in English language published between January 2010 and December 2019. Clinical trials and observational studies will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen studies for eligibility. Data extraction will then be performed using a standardised form. The quality of evidence and risk of bias will be assessed using Cochrane Collaboration's tool and Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Intervention (ROBINS-I). The results will be synthesised qualitatively and pooled for meta-analysis.
Ethics And Dissemination:
No formal ethical approval is required as there is no collection of primary data. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be disseminated through conference meetings and peer-reviewed publications.
Prospero Registration Number:
Registration submitted CRD42020164334.
