Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 4, 2025
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Perinatal management: Lessons learned from the neonatal research network
Shalini Ramachandran1, Elizabeth E Foglia2, Sara B DeMauro2
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX, USA.
Insights
The Neonatal Research Network (NRN) provides crucial data on how maternal health and delivery practices impact extremely preterm infants. Their research informs guidelines for better newborn outcomes and family counseling.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Perinatology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network (NRN) has made significant contributions to understanding newborn outcomes.
- Key areas include obstetrical interventions and neonatal delivery room practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent NRN contributions regarding perinatal interventions and neonatal delivery room practices.
- To highlight the impact of these practices on extremely preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- The NRN conducts observational studies and clinical trials.
- Data analysis focuses on antepartum factors, delivery interventions, and neonatal outcomes.
Main Results:
- Studies examined the impact of maternal diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and delivery mode on extremely preterm newborns.
- Research also assessed delayed delivery intervals for multiples, antenatal steroid effects, and magnesium sulfate therapy for neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- NRN research informs neonatal resuscitation guidelines, including umbilical cord management and thermal regulation.
Conclusions:
- The NRN provides substantial evidence on the effects of perinatal management on newborn infants.
- Updated tools like the NRN outcome calculator improve counseling for families of high-risk newborns.
Abstract:
Recent contributions of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network (NRN) regarding obstetrical perinatal interventions and neonatal delivery room practices include the following: the impact of multiple antepartum factors including maternal diabetes, hypertension, obesity and mode of delivery on outcomes of extremely preterm newborns, effects of delayed delivery interval for extremely preterm multiples, effects of antenatal steroids on preterm newborn outcomes and the impact of antenatal magnesium sulfate therapy on neurodevelopmental outcomes for extremely preterm infants. NRN studies also contribute important evidence for neonatal delivery room resuscitation guidelines including umbilical cord management and maintenance of euthermia immediately after birth. The updated NRN outcome calculator helps better counsel families regarding possible outcomes for the most immature newborns if resuscitation is attempted at birth. Thus, the NRN provides substantial information regarding effects of perinatal management on newborn infants.
