Resuscitative events in a level 4 NICU: Prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of compressive versus...

Little is known about the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of neonates needing emergent resuscitation within the level 4 neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Clinical factors prior to and following resuscitation event or characteristics of those who require chest compressions versus those without compressions has not been previously delineated. The aim of this study is to describe characteristics and outcomes of neonates who have compressive vs. non-compressive resuscitative events.

Retrospective observational study of neonates with a resuscitative event in the Children's Mercy Hospital level 4 NICU between January 2012 and April 2017. Data were derived from the NICU Code Blue database and the electronic medical record. Primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge.

Of the 641 resuscitative events, most were in the non-compressive group (n = 481). Those requiring chest compressions longer than 1 minute had significantly different clinical characteristics and decreased survival. There was no difference between groups in gestational age or birth weight.

Non-compressive events are more common in the NICU setting than are compressive events. Neonates requiring chest compressions longer than 1 minute are more likely to have a higher respiratory severity score, need for vasopressors, worse renal function post-event, and decreased survival to discharge.