Imperial College London

DrCherylBattersby

Faculty of MedicineSchool of Public Health

Clinical Senior Lecturer in Neonatal Medicine
 
 
 
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Contact

 

+44 (0)20 3315 3047c.battersby Website

 
 
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Location

 

G.4.4.Chelsea and Westminster HospitalChelsea and Westminster Campus

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Summary

 

Publications

Publication Type
Year
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69 results found

Rees P, Callan C, Chadda KR, Vaal M, Diviney J, Sabti S, Harnden F, Gardiner J, Battersby C, Gale C, Sutcliffe Aet al., 2024, Childhood outcomes after low-grade Intraventricular Haemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, Vol: 66, Pages: 282-289, ISSN: 0012-1622

Aim:To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring school-aged neurodevelopmental outcomes of children after low-grade intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH).Methods:The published and grey literature was extensively searched to identify observational comparative studies exploring neurodevelopmental outcomes after IVH grade 1-2. Our primary outcome was neurodevelopmental impairment after 5 years of age, which included cognitive, motor, speech and language, behavioural, hearing or visual impairments.Results:This review included 12 studies and over 2,036 preterm infants with low grade IVH. Studies used 30 different neurodevelopmental tools to determine outcomes. There was conflicting evidence of the composite risk of neurodevelopmental impairment after low-grade IVH. There was evidence of an association between low-grade IVH and lower IQ at school age -4.23 95% CI (-7.53, -0.92) I2=0% but impact on school performance was unclear. Studies reported an increased crude risk of cerebral palsy after low-grade IVH OR 2.92 95%CI (1.95, 4.37) I2=41%. No increased risk of speech and language impairment or behavioural impairment was found. Few studies addressed hearing and visual impairment.Interpretation:This review presents evidence that low-grade IVH is associated with specific neurodevelopmental impairments at school age, lending support to the theory that low-grade IVH is not a benign condition.

Journal article

van Blankenstein E, Sodiwala T, Lanoue J, Modi N, Uthaya S, Battersby Cet al., 2024, Two-year neurodevelopmental data for preterm infants born over an 11-year period in England and Wales, 2008–2018: a retrospective study using the National Neonatal Research Database, Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition, Vol: 109, Pages: 143-150, ISSN: 1359-2998

Objective United Kingdom guidelines recommend all infants born <30 weeks’ gestation receive neurodevelopmental follow-up at 2 years corrected age. In this study, we describe completeness and results of 2-year neurodevelopmental records in the National Neonatal Research Database (NNRD).Design This retrospective cohort study uses data from the NNRD, which holds data on all neonatal admissions in England and Wales, including 2year follow-up status.Patients We included all preterm infants born <30 weeks’ gestation between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2018 in England and Wales, who survived to discharge from neonatal care.Main outcome measures Presence of a 2-year neurodevelopmental assessment record in the NNRD, use of standardised assessment tools, results of functional 2-year neurodevelopmental assessments (visual, auditory, neuromotor, communication, overall development).Results Of the 41 505 infants included, 24 125 (58%) had a 2-year neurodevelopmental assessment recorded. This improved over time, from 32% to 71% for births in 2008 and 2018, respectively.Of those with available data: 0.4% were blind; 1% had a hearing impairment not correctable with aids; 13% had <5 meaningful words, vocalisations or signs; 8% could not walk without assistance and 9% had severe (≥12 months) developmental delay.Conclusions The proportion of infants admitted to neonatal units in England and Wales with a 2-year neurodevelopmental record has improved over time. Rates of follow-up data from recent years are comparable to those of bespoke observational studies. With continual improvement in data completeness, the potential for use of NNRD as a source of longer-term outcome data can be realised.

Journal article

Hurrell A, Webster L, Sparkes J, Battersby C, Brockbank A, Clark K, Duhig KE, Gill C, Green M, Hunter RM, Seed PT, Vowles Z, Myers J, Shennan AH, Chappell LC, PARROT-2 trial groupet al., 2024, Repeat placental growth factor-based testing in women with suspected preterm pre-eclampsia (PARROT-2): a multicentre, parallel-group, superiority, randomised controlled trial., Lancet, Vol: 403, Pages: 619-631

BACKGROUND: Placental growth factor (PlGF)-based testing has high diagnostic accuracy for predicting pre-eclampsia needing delivery, significantly reducing time to diagnosis and severe maternal adverse outcomes. The clinical benefit of repeat PlGF-based testing is unclear. We aimed to determine whether repeat PlGF-based testing (using a clinical management algorithm and nationally recommended thresholds) reduces adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant individuals with suspected preterm pre-eclampsia. METHODS: In this multicentre, parallel-group, superiority, randomised controlled trial, done in 22 maternity units across England, Scotland, and Wales, we recruited women aged 18 years or older with suspected pre-eclampsia between 22 weeks and 0 days of gestation and 35 weeks and 6 days of gestation. Women were randomly assigned (1:1) to revealed repeat PlGF-based testing or concealed repeat testing with usual care. The intervention was not masked to women or partners, or clinicians or data collectors, due to the nature of the trial. The trial statistician was masked to intervention allocation. The primary outcome was a perinatal composite of stillbirth, early neonatal death, or neonatal unit admission. The primary analysis was by the intention-to-treat principle, with a per-protocol analysis restricted to women managed according to their allocation group. The trial was prospectively registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN 85912420. FINDINGS: Between Dec 17, 2019, and Sept 30, 2022, 1253 pregnant women were recruited and randomly assigned treatment; one patient was excluded due to randomisation error. 625 women were allocated to revealed repeat PlGF-based testing and 627 women were allocated to usual care with concealed repeat PlGF-based testing (mean age 32·3 [SD 5·7] years; 879 [70%] white). One woman in the concealed repeat PlGF-based testing group was lost to follow-up. There was no significant difference in the primary perinatal composite outcome b

Journal article

Hurrell A, Webster L, Sparkes J, Battersby C, Brockbank A, Clark K, Duhig K, Gill C, Green M, Hunter R, Seed P, Vowles Z, Myers J, Shennan A, Chappell Let al., 2024, Repeat placental growth factor-based testing in women with suspected preterm pre-eclampsia (PARROT-2): a multicentre, parallel-group, superiority, randomised controlled trial, The Lancet, Vol: 403, ISSN: 0140-6736

Background:Placental growth factor (PlGF)-based testing has high diagnostic accuracy for predicting pre-eclampsia needing delivery, significantly reducing time to diagnosis and severe maternal adverse outcomes. The clinical benefit of repeat PlGF-based testing is unclear. The aim of this trial was to determine whether repeat PlGF-based testing (using a clinical management algorithm and nationally recommended thresholds) reduces adverse perinatal outcomes, in pregnant individuals with suspected preterm pre-eclampsia. Methods:In this superiority, parallel group, non-masked, multicentre, randomised controlled trial in 22 maternity units across England, Scotland, and Wales, we compared repeat revealed PlGF-based testing with repeat concealed testing, alongside usual care, in women with suspected pre-eclampsia between 22+0- and 35+6-weeks’ gestation. The primary outcome was a perinatal composite of stillbirth, early neonatal death, or neonatal unit admission. Analyses were by intention to treat, with a per-protocol analysis. The trial was prospectively registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN 85912420. FindingsBetween Dec 17, 2019, and Sept 30, 2022, 1253 women were recruited. 626 were allocated to repeat revealed PlGF-based testing and 627 were allocated to usual care with repeat concealed PlGF-based testing. There was no evidence of a significant difference in the primary perinatal composite outcome between the revealed testing group (31.2%) compared to the concealed testing group (27·8%, relative risk 1·21; 95% CI 0·95-1·33; p=0·18). In the repeat revealed testing group (compared to the concealed testing group), there was a significant reduction in the gestational age at delivery (36·7 vs 37·1 weeks’ gestation, -0·40; -0·68 to -0·12; p=0·005); an increase in the number of participants giving birth before 34 weeks’ gestation (14·4% vs 8·8%; 1·63; 1&mid

Journal article

Seaton S, Battersby C, David PJ, Fenton AC, Anderson J, van Hasselt TJH, Draper ESet al., 2024, The characteristics of children requiring admission to neonatal care and paediatric intensive care before the age of two years in England and Wales: a data linkage study, Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition, ISSN: 1359-2998

Objective: To quantify the characteristics of children admitted to neonatal units (NNUs) and paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) before the age of 2 years.Design: A data linkage study of routinely collected data.Setting: National Health Service NNUs and PICUs in England and WalesPatients: Children born from 2013 to 2018.Interventions: None.Main outcome measure: Admission to PICU before the age of 2 years.Results: A total of 384 747 babies were admitted to an NNU and 4.8% (n=18 343) were also admitted to PICU before the age of 2 years. Approximately half of all children admitted to PICU under the age of 2 years born in the same time window (n=18 343/37 549) had previously been cared for in an NNU.The main reasons for first admission to PICU were cardiac (n=7138) and respiratory conditions (n=5386). Cardiac admissions were primarily from children born at term (n=5146), while respiratory admissions were primarily from children born preterm (<37 weeks’ gestational age, n=3550). A third of children admitted to PICU had more than one admission.Conclusions: Healthcare professionals caring for babies and children in NNU and PICU see some of the same children in the first 2 years of life. While some children are following established care pathways (eg, staged cardiac surgery), the small proportion of children needing NNU care subsequently requiring PICU care account for a large proportion of the total PICU population. These differences may affect perceptions of risk for this group of children between NNU and PICU teams.

Journal article

Nezafat Maldonado B, Lanoue J, Allin B, Hargreaves D, Knight M, Gale C, Battersby Cet al., 2024, Place of birth and postnatal transfers in infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) in England and Wales: an observational cohort study, Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition, ISSN: 1359-2998

Objective: To describe clinical pathways for infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and short-term outcomes.Design: Retrospective observational cohort study using the UK National Neonatal Research Database (NNRD).Patients: Babies with a diagnosis of CDH admitted to a neonatal unit in England and Wales between 2012 and 2020.Main outcome measures: Clinical pathways defined by place of birth (with or without colocated neonatal and surgical facilities), transfers, clinical interventions, length of hospital stay and discharge outcome.Results: There were 1319 babies with a diagnosis of CDH cared for in four clinical pathways: born in maternity units with (1) colocated tertiary neonatal and surgical units (‘neonatal surgical units’), 50% (660/1319); (2) designated tertiary neonatal unit and transfer to stand-alone surgical centre (‘tertiary designated’), 25% (337/1319); (3) non-designated tertiary neonatal unit (‘tertiary non-designated’), 7% (89/1319); or (4) non-tertiary unit (‘non-tertiary’), 18% (233/1319)—the latter three needing postnatal transfers. Infant characteristics were similar for infants born in neonatal surgical and tertiary designated units. Excluding 149 infants with minimal data due to early transfer (median (IQR) 2.2 (0.4–4.5) days) to other settings, survival to neonatal discharge was 73% (851/1170), with a median (IQR) stay of 26 (16–44) days.Conclusions: We found that half of the babies with CDH were born in hospitals that did not have on-site surgical services and required postnatal transfer. Similar characteristics between infants born in neonatal surgical units and tertiary designated units suggest that organisation rather than infant factors influence place of birth. Future work linking the NNRD to other datasets will enable comparisons between care pathways.

Journal article

Smith L, van Blankenstein E, Fox G, Seaton S, Martinez-Jimenez M, Petrou S, Battersby C, UK Neonatal Collaborativeet al., 2023, Effect of national guidance on survival for babies born at 22 weeks’ gestation in England and Wales: population based cohort study, BMJ Medicine, Vol: 2, ISSN: 2754-0413

Objectives To explore the effect of changes in national clinical recommendations in 2019 that extended provision of survival focused care to babies born at 22 weeks’ gestation in England and Wales.Design Population based cohort study.Setting England and Wales, comprising routine data for births and hospital records.Participants Babies alive at the onset of care in labour at 22 weeks+0 days to 22 weeks+6 days and at 23 weeks+0 days to 24 weeks+6 days for comparison purposes between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021.Main outcome measures Percentage of babies given survival focused care (active respiratory support after birth), admitted to neonatal care, and surviving to discharge in 2018-19 and 2020-21.Results For the 1001 babies alive at the onset of labour at 22 weeks' gestation, a threefold increase was noted in: survival focused care provision from 11.3% to 38.4% (risk ratio 3.41 (95% confidence interval 2.61 to 4.45)); admissions to neonatal units from 7.4% to 28.1% (3.77 (2.70 to 5.27)), and survival to discharge from neonatal care from 2.5% to 8.2% (3.29 (1.78 to 6.09)). More babies of lower birth weight and early gestational age received survival focused care in 2020-21 than 2018-19 (46% to 64% at <500g weight; 19% to 31% at 22 weeks+0 days to 22 weeks+3 days).Conclusions A change in national guidance to recommend a risk based approach was associated with a threefold increase in 22 weeks’ gestation babies receiving survival focused care. The number of babies being admitted to neonatal units and those surviving to discharge increased.

Journal article

Smith LK, van Blankenstein E, Fox G, Seaton SE, Martínez-Jiménez M, Petrou S, Battersby C, MBRRACE-UK Perinatal Surveillance Groupet al., 2023, Effect of national guidance on survival for babies born at 22 weeks' gestation in England and Wales: population based cohort study, BMJ: British Medical Journal, Vol: 2, ISSN: 0959-535X

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of changes in national clinical recommendations in 2019 that extended provision of survival focused care to babies born at 22 weeks' gestation in England and Wales. DESIGN: Population based cohort study. SETTING: England and Wales, comprising routine data for births and hospital records. PARTICIPANTS: Babies alive at the onset of care in labour at 22 weeks+0 days to 22 weeks+6 days and at 23 weeks+0 days to 24 weeks+6 days for comparison purposes between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of babies given survival focused care (active respiratory support after birth), admitted to neonatal care, and surviving to discharge in 2018-19 and 2020-21. RESULTS: For the 1001 babies alive at the onset of labour at 22 weeks' gestation, a threefold increase was noted in: survival focused care provision from 11.3% to 38.4% (risk ratio 3.41 (95% confidence interval 2.61 to 4.45)); admissions to neonatal units from 7.4% to 28.1% (3.77 (2.70 to 5.27)), and survival to discharge from neonatal care from 2.5% to 8.2% (3.29 (1.78 to 6.09)). More babies of lower birth weight and early gestational age received survival focused care in 2020-21 than 2018-19 (46% to 64% at <500g weight; 19% to 31% at 22 weeks+0 days to 22 weeks+3 days). CONCLUSIONS: A change in national guidance to recommend a risk based approach was associated with a threefold increase in 22 weeks' gestation babies receiving survival focused care. The number of babies being admitted to neonatal units and those surviving to discharge increased.

Journal article

van Hasselt T, Gale C, Battersby C, David PJ, Draper ES, Seaton SEet al., 2023, Paediatric intensive care admissions of preterm children born <32 weeks gestation: a national retrospective cohort study using data linkage, Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition, ISSN: 1359-2998

Objective: Survival of babies born very preterm (<32 weeks gestational age) has increased, although preterm-born children may have ongoing morbidity. We aimed to investigate the risk of admission to paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) of children born very preterm following discharge home from neonatal care.Design: Retrospective cohort study, using data linkage of National Neonatal Research Database and the Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network datasets.Setting: All neonatal units and PICUs in England and Wales.Patients: Children born very preterm between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2018 and admitted to neonatal units.Main outcome measures: Admission to PICU after discharge home from neonatal care, before 2 years of age.Results: Of the 40 690 children discharged home from neonatal care, there were 2308 children (5.7%) with at least one admission to PICU after discharge. Of these children, there were 1901 whose first PICU admission after discharge was unplanned.The percentage of children with unplanned PICU admission varied by gestation, from 10.2% of children born <24 weeks to 3.3% born at 31 weeks.Following adjustment, unplanned PICU admission was associated with lower gestation, male sex (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.79), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (aOR 1.37), necrotising enterocolitis requiring surgery (aOR 1.39) and brain injury (aOR 1.42). For each week of increased gestation, the aOR was 0.90.Conclusions: Most babies born <32 weeks and discharged home from neonatal care do not require PICU admission in the first 2 years. The odds of unplanned admissions to PICU were greater in the most preterm and those with significant neonatal morbidity.Data availability statement:Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available. Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available. PICANet data may be requested from the data controller, the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP). A Data Access Request Form can be o

Journal article

Evans K, Battersby C, Boardman JP, Boyle E, Carroll W, Dinwiddy K, Dorling J, Gallagher K, Hardy P, Johnston E, Mactier H, Marcroft C, Webbe JWH, Gale Cet al., 2023, National priority setting partnership using a Delphi consensus process to develop neonatal research questions suitable for practice-changing randomised trials in the UK, Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition, Vol: 108, Pages: 569-574, ISSN: 1359-2998

BACKGROUND: The provision of neonatal care is variable and commonly lacks adequate evidence base; strategic development of methodologically robust clinical trials is needed to improve outcomes and maximise research resources. Historically, neonatal research topics have been selected by researchers; prioritisation processes involving wider stakeholder groups have generally identified research themes rather than specific questions amenable to interventional trials. OBJECTIVE: To involve stakeholders including parents, healthcare professionals and researchers to identify and prioritise research questions suitable for answering in neonatal interventional trials in the UK. DESIGN: Research questions were submitted by stakeholders in population, intervention, comparison, outcome format through an online platform. Questions were reviewed by a representative steering group; duplicates and previously answered questions were removed. Eligible questions were entered into a three-round online Delphi survey for prioritisation by all stakeholder groups. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and eight respondents submitted research questions for consideration; 144 participants completed round one of the Delphi survey, 106 completed all three rounds. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-five research questions were submitted and after steering group review, 186 entered into the Delphi survey. The top five ranked research questions related to breast milk fortification, intact cord resuscitation, timing of surgical intervention in necrotising enterocolitis, therapeutic hypothermia for mild hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy and non-invasive respiratory support. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified and prioritised research questions suitable for practice-changing interventional trials in neonatal medicine in the UK at the present time. Trials targeting these uncertainties have potential to reduce research waste and improve neonatal care.

Journal article

Venkatesan T, Rees P, Gardiner J, Battersby C, Purkayastha M, Gale C, Sutcliffe Aet al., 2023, National trends in preterm infant mortality in the United States by race and socioeconomic status, 1995-2020, JAMA Pediatrics, Vol: 177, Pages: 1085-1095, ISSN: 1072-4710

Importance Inequalities in preterm infant mortality exist between population subgroups within the United States.Objective To characterize trends in preterm infant mortality by maternal race and socioeconomic status to assess how inequalities in preterm mortality rates have changed over time.Design, Setting, and Participants This was a retrospective longitudinal descriptive study using the US National Center for Health Statistics birth infant/death data set for 12 256 303 preterm infant births over 26 years, between 1995 and 2020. Data were analyzed from December 2022 to March 2023.Exposures Maternal characteristics including race, smoking status, educational attainment, antenatal care, and insurance status were used as reported on an infant’s US birth certificate.Main Outcomes and Measures Preterm infant mortality rate was calculated for each year from 1995 to 2020 for all subgroups, with a trend regression coefficient calculated to describe the rate of change in preterm mortality.Results The average US preterm infant mortality rate (IMR) decreased from 33.71 (95% CI, 33.71 to 34.04) per 1000 preterm births per year between 1995-1997, to 23.32 (95% CI, 23.05 to 23.58) between 2018-2020. Black non-Hispanic infants were more likely to die following preterm births than White non-Hispanic infants (IMR, 31.09; 95% CI, 30.44 to 31.74, vs 21.81; 95% CI, 21.43 to 22.18, in 2018-2020); however, once born, extremely prematurely Black and Hispanic infants had a narrow survival advantage (IMR rate ratio, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.84 to 0.91, in 2018-2020). The rate of decrease in preterm IMR was higher in Black infants (−0.015) than in White (−0.013) and Hispanic infants (−0.010); however, the relative risk of preterm IMR among Black infants compared with White infants remained the same between 1995-1997 vs 2018-2020 (relative risk, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.38 to 1.44, vs 1.43; 95% CI, 1.39 to 1.46). The rate of decrease in preterm IMR was higher in nonsmokers compar

Journal article

Ashworth D, Battersby C, Bick D, Green M, Hardy P, Leighton L, Magee LA, Maher A, McManus RJ, Moakes C, Morris RK, Nelson-Piercy C, Sparkes J, Rivero-Arias O, Webb A, Wilson H, Myers J, Chappell LCet al., 2023, A treatment strategy with nifedipine versus labetalol for women with pregnancy hypertension: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (Giant PANDA), Trials, Vol: 24, Pages: 1-14, ISSN: 1745-6215

BACKGROUND: Approximately one in ten women have high blood pressure during pregnancy. Hypertension is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, and as treatment improves maternal outcomes, antihypertensive treatment is recommended. Previous trials have been unable to provide a definitive answer on which antihypertensive treatment is associated with optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes and the need for robust evidence evaluating maternal and infant benefits and risks remains an important, unanswered question for research and clinical communities. METHODS: The Giant PANDA study is a pragmatic, open-label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial of a treatment initiation strategy with nifedipine (calcium channel blocker), versus labetalol (mixed alpha/beta blocker) in 2300 women with pregnancy hypertension. The primary objective is to evaluate if treatment with nifedipine compared to labetalol in women with pregnancy hypertension reduces severe maternal hypertension without increasing fetal or neonatal death or neonatal unit admission. Subgroup analyses will be undertaken by hypertension type (chronic, gestational, pre-eclampsia), diabetes (yes, no), singleton (yes, no), self-reported ethnicity (Black, all other), and gestational age at randomisation categories (11 + 0 to 19 + 6, 20 + 0 to 27 + 6, 28 + 0 to 34 + 6 weeks). A cost-effectiveness analysis using an NHS perspective will be undertaken using a cost-consequence analysis up to postnatal hospital discharge and an extrapolation exercise with a lifetime horizon conditional on the results of the cost-consequence analysis. DISCUSSION: This trial aims to address the uncertainty of which antihypertensive treatment is associated with optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes. The trial results are intended to provide definitive evidence to inform guidelines and linked, shared decision-making tools, thus influencing cl

Journal article

Harnden F, Lanoue J, Modi N, Uthaya S, Battersby Cet al., 2023, A data-driven approach to understanding neonatal palliative care needs in England and Wales: a population based study 2015-2020, Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition, Vol: 108, Pages: 540-544, ISSN: 1359-2998

ObjectiveTo quantify admissions to neonatal units in England and Wales with potential need for palliative care. Design, setting, and patientsDiagnoses and clinical attributes indicating a high likelihood of requiring palliative care were mapped to categories within the British Association of Perinatal Medicine’s (BAPM) framework on palliative care. We extracted data from the National Neonatal Research Database on all babies born and admitted to neonatal units in England and Wales 2015-2020.OutcomesThe number and proportion of babies meeting BAPM categories, their discharge outcomes, and the characteristics of babies who died during neonatal care but did not fulfil any BAPM category.Results12,123/574,954 (2.1%) babies met one or more BAPM category: 6,239/12,123 (51%) conformed to BAPM category 4 (postnatal conditions with high risk of severe impairment), 3,796 (31%) to category 2 (antenatal/postnatal diagnosis with high risk of significant morbidity or death), 1,399 (12%) to category 3 (born at margin of viability), and 288 (2%) to category 1 (antenatal/postnatal diagnosis not compatible with long-term survival); 401 babies (3%) met criteria for multiple categories. 6,814/12,123 (56%) were discharged home, 2,385 (20%) were discharged to other settings and 2,914 (24%) died before neonatal discharge. 3,000/5,914 (51%) babies who died during neonatal care did not conform to any BAPM category. Of these, 2,630/3,000 (88%) were born preterm.ConclusionsAt least 2% of babies admitted to neonatal units had palliative care needs according to existing BAPM categories; most survived to discharge. Of deaths, 51% were not captured by the BAPM categories; most were extremely preterm.

Journal article

Piyasena C, Galu S, Yoshida R, Thakkar D, O'Sullivan J, Longley C, Evans K, Sweeney S, Kendall G, Ben-Sasi K, Richards J, Harris C, Jagodzinski J, Dermirjian A, Lamagni T, Le Doare K, Heath P, Battersby C, Collaborative Net al., 2023, Comparison of diagnoses of early onset sepsis associated with use of Sepsis Risk Calculator versus NICE CG149: a prospective, population-wide cohort study in London, UK, 2020-21, BMJ Open, Vol: 13, Pages: 1-8, ISSN: 2044-6055

Objective: We sought to compare the incidence of early-onset sepsis (EOS) in infants ≥34 weeks’ gestation identified > 24 hours after birth, in hospitals using the Kaiser Permanente sepsis risk calculator (SRC) with hospitals using the NICE guidance.Design and setting: Prospective observational population-wide cohort study involving all 26 hospitals with neonatal units co-located with maternity services across London (10 using SRC, 16 using NICE). Participants: All livebirths ≥34 weeks’ gestation between September 2020 and August 2021. Outcome measures: EOS was defined as isolation of a bacterial pathogen in the blood or CSF culture from birth to 7 days of age. We evaluated the incidence of EOS identified by culture obtained >24 hours to 7 days after birth. We also evaluated the rate empiric antibiotics were commenced >24 hours to 7 days after birth, for a duration of ≥5 days, with negative blood or CSF cultures. Results: Of 99,683 livebirths, 42,952 (43%) were born in SRC hospitals and 56,731 (57%) in NICE hospitals. The overall incidence of EOS (<72 hours) was 0·64/1000 livebirths. The incidence of EOS identified >24 hours was 2.3/100,000 (n=1) for SRC versus 7.1/100,000 (n=4) for NICE (odds ratio 0·5, 95%CI [0·1; 2·7]). This corresponded to (1/20) 5% (SRC) versus (4/45) 8.9% (NICE) of EOS cases (chi=0.3, p=0.59). Empiric antibiotics were commenced >24 hours to 7 days after birth in 4·4/1000 (n=187) for SRC versus 2·9/1000 (n=158) for NICE (odds ratio 1·5, 95%CI [1·2; 1·9]). 3111 (7%) infants received antibiotics in the first 24 hours in SRC hospitals versus 8428 (15%) in NICE hospitals. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the incidence of EOS identified >24 hours after birth between SRC and NICE hospitals. SRC use was associated with 50% fewer infants receiving antibiotics in the first 24 hours of life.

Journal article

Nezafat Maldonado B, Singhal G, Chow LY, Hargreaves D, Gale C, Battersby Cet al., 2023, Association between birth location and short-term outcomes for babies with gastroschisis, congenital diaphragmatic hernia and oesophageal fistula: a systematic review, BMJ Paediatrics Open, Vol: 7, Pages: 1-14, ISSN: 2399-9772

Background Neonatal care is commonly regionalised, meaning specialist services are only available at certain units. Consequently, infants with surgical conditions needing specialist care who are born in non-surgical centres require postnatal transfer. Best practice models advocate for colocated maternity and surgical services as the place of birth for infants with antenatally diagnosed congenital conditions to avoid postnatal transfers. We conducted a systematic review to explore the association between location of birth and short-term outcomes of babies with gastroschisis, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and oesophageal atresia with or without tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF/OA).Methods We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases for studies from high income countries comparing outcomes for infants with gastroschisis, CDH or TOF/OA based on their place of delivery. Outcomes of interest included mortality, length of stay, age at first feed, comorbidities and duration of parenteral nutrition. We assessed study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We present a narrative synthesis of our findings.Results Nineteen cohort studies compared outcomes of babies with one of gastroschisis, CDH or TOF/OA. Heterogeneity across the studies precluded meta-analysis. Eight studies carried out case-mix adjustments. Overall, we found conflicting evidence. There is limited evidence to suggest that birth in a maternity unit with a colocated surgical centre was associated with a reduction in mortality for CDH and decreased length of stay for gastroschisis.Conclusions There is little evidence to suggest that delivery in colocated maternity-surgical services may be associated with shortened length of stay and reduced mortality. Our findings are limited by significant heterogeneity, potential for bias and paucity of strong evidence. This supports the need for further research to investigate the impact of birth location on outcomes for babies with congenital

Journal article

Patel N, NeoTRIPs CG, Evans K, Berrington J, Szatkowski L, Costeloe K, Ojha S, Fleming P, Battersby Cet al., 2023, How frequent is routine use of probiotics in UK Neonatal Units?, BMJ Paediatrics Open, Vol: 7, Pages: 1-6, ISSN: 2399-9772

Objective: There is a lack of UK guidance regarding routine use of probiotics in preterm infants to prevent necrotising enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, and death. As practices can vary, we aimed to determine the current usage of probiotics within neonatal units in the United Kingdom.Design and setting: Using NeoTRIPS, a trainee-led neonatal research network, an online survey was disseminated to neonatal units of all service levels within England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales in 2022. Trainees were requested to complete one survey per unit regarding routine probiotic administration. Results: 161/188 (86%) neonatal units responded to the survey. 70/161 (44%) respondents routinely give probiotics to preterm infants. 45/70 (64%) use the probiotic product Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM/Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb-06/Bifidobacterium infantis Bi-26 (Labinic™). 57/70 (81%) start probiotics in infants ≤32 weeks gestation. 33/70 (47%) had microbiology departments that were aware of the use of probiotics and 64/70 (91%) had a guideline available. Commencing enteral feeds was a prerequisite to starting probiotics in 62/70 (89%) units. The majority would stop probiotics if enteral feeds were withheld (59/70; 84%) or if the infant was being treated for necrotising enterocolitis (69/70; 99%). 24/91 (26%) units that did not use probiotics at the time of the survey were planning to introduce them within the next 12 months. Conclusion: More than 40% of all UK neonatal units that responded are now routinely administering probiotics, with variability in the product used. With increased probiotic usage in recent years, there is a need to establish whether this translates to improved clinical outcomes.

Journal article

Modi N, Ribas R, Johnson S, Lek E, Godambe S, Fukari-Irvine E, Ogundipe E, Tusor N, Das N, Udayakumaran A, Moss B, Banda V, Ougham K, Cornelius V, Arasu A, Wardle S, Battersby C, Bravery Aet al., 2023, Pilot feasibility study of a digital technology approach to the systematic electronic capture of parent-reported data on cognitive and language development in children aged 2 years, BMJ Health & Care Informatics, Vol: 30, Pages: 1-5, ISSN: 2632-1009

Background The assessment of language and cognition in children at risk of impaired neurodevelopment following neonatal care is a UK standard of care but there is no national, systematic approach for obtaining these data. To overcome these challenges, we developed and evaluated a digital version of a validated parent questionnaire to assess cognitive and language development at age 2 years, the Parent Report of Children’s Abilities-Revised (PARCA-R).Methods We involved clinicians and parents of babies born very preterm who received care in north-west London neonatal units. We developed a digital version of the PARCA-R questionnaire using standard software. Following informed consent, parents received automated notifications and an invitation to complete the questionnaire on a mobile phone, tablet or computer when their child approached the appropriate age window. Parents could save and print a copy of the results. We evaluated ease of use, parent acceptability, consent for data sharing through integration into a research database and making results available to the clinical team.Results Clinical staff approached the parents of 41 infants; 38 completed the e-registration form and 30 signed the e-consent. The digital version of the PARCA-R was completed by the parents of 21 of 23 children who reached the appropriate age window. Clinicians and parents found the system easy to use. Only one parent declined permission to integrate data into the National Neonatal Research Database for approved secondary purposes.Discussion This electronic data collection system and associated automated processes enabled efficient systematic capture of data on language and cognitive development in high-risk children, suitable for national delivery at scale.

Journal article

Moore H, Battersby C, Piyasena C, Demirjian A, Lamagni Tet al., 2023, Assessing variation in neonatal sepsis screening across England, Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition, Vol: 108, Pages: 430-431, ISSN: 1359-2998

Journal article

Conti-Ramsden F, Fleminger J, Lanoue J, Chappell L, Battersby Cet al., 2023, The contribution of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy to late preterm and term admissions to neonatal units in the UK 2012-2020 and opportunities to avoid admission: a population-based study using the National Neonatal Research Database, British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, ISSN: 0306-5456

Objective: To quantify maternal hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) prevalence in late preterm and term infants admitted to neonatal units (NNU) and assess opportunities to avoid admissions.Design: A retrospective population-based study using the National Neonatal Research Database.Setting: England and Wales. Population: Infants born ≥ 34 weeks’ gestation admitted to NNU between 2012 and 2020. Methods: Outcomes in HDP infants are compared to non-HDP infants using regression models. Main outcomes measures: HDP, primary reason for admission, clinical diagnoses and resource use.Results: 16,059/136,220 (11.8%) of late preterm (34+0-36+6 weeks’ gestation) and 14,885/284,646 (5.2%) of term (≥ 37 weeks’ gestation) admitted infants were exposed to maternal HDP. The most common primary reasons for HDP infant admission were respiratory disease (28.3%), prematurity (22.7%) and hypoglycaemia (16.4%). HDP infants were more likely to be admitted with primary hypoglycaemia than non-HDP infants (OR: 2.1, 95% CI 2.0-2.2, p-value < 0.0001). 64.5% of HDP infants received IV dextrose. 35.7% received mechanical or non-invasive ventilation. 8260/30,944 (26.7%) of HDP infants received intervention for hypoglycaemia alone (IV dextrose) with no other major intervention (respiratory support, parenteral nutrition, central line, arterial line or blood transfusion). Conclusions: The burden of maternal HDP on late preterm and term admissions to NNU is high with hypoglycaemia and respiratory disease being the main drivers for admission. Over one in four were admitted solely for management of hypoglycaemia. Further research should determine whether maternal antihypertensive agent choice or postnatal pathways may reduce NNU admission.Funding: Medical Research Council (MR/V006835/1).

Journal article

Rees P, Callan C, Chadda K, Vaal M, Diviney J, Sabti S, Harnden F, Gardiner J, Battersby C, Gale C, Sutcliffe Aet al., 2023, School-age outcomes of children after perinatal brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis, BMJ Paediatrics Open, Vol: 7, Pages: 1-14, ISSN: 2399-9772

Background Over 3000 children suffer a perinatal brain injury in England every year according to national surveillance. The childhood outcomes of infants with perinatal brain injury are however unknown.Methods A systematic review and meta-analyses were undertaken of studies published between 2000 and September 2021 exploring school-aged neurodevelopmental outcomes of children after perinatal brain injury compared with those without perinatal brain injury. The primary outcome was neurodevelopmental impairment, which included cognitive, motor, speech and language, behavioural, hearing or visual impairment after 5 years of age.Results This review included 42 studies. Preterm infants with intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) grades 3–4 were found to have a threefold greater risk of moderate-to-severe neurodevelopmental impairment at school age OR 3.69 (95% CI 1.7 to 7.98) compared with preterm infants without IVH. Infants with perinatal stroke had an increased incidence of hemiplegia 61% (95% CI 39.2% to 82.9%) and an increased risk of cognitive impairment (difference in full scale IQ −24.2 (95% CI –30.73 to –17.67) . Perinatal stroke was also associated with poorer academic performance; and lower mean receptive −20.88 (95% CI –36.66 to –5.11) and expressive language scores −20.25 (95% CI –34.36 to –6.13) on the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF) assessment. Studies reported an increased risk of persisting neurodevelopmental impairment at school age after neonatal meningitis. Cognitive impairment and special educational needs were highlighted after moderate-to-severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. However, there were limited comparative studies providing school-aged outcome data across neurodevelopmental domains and few provided adjusted data. Findings were further limited by the heterogeneity of studies.Conclusions Longitudinal population studies exploring childhood outcomes after perinatal b

Journal article

Sturrock S, Ali S, Gale C, Battersby C, Le Doare Ket al., 2023, Neonatal outcomes and indirect consequences following maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy: a systematic review, BMJ Open, Vol: 13, Pages: 1-8, ISSN: 2044-6055

Objectives: Identify the association between maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and individual neonatal morbidities and outcomes, particularly longer-term outcomes such as neurodevelopment.Design: Systematic review of outcomes of neonates born to pregnant women diagnosed with a SARS-CoV-2 infection at any stage during pregnancy, including asymptomatic women.Data sources: MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, WHOLIS and LILACS databases, last searched 28th July 2021.Eligibility criteria: Case-control and cohort studies published after 1st January 2020, including pre-print articles were included. Study outcomes included neonatal mortality and morbidity, preterm birth, Caesarean delivery, small for gestational age, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, level of respiratory support required, diagnosis of culture-positive sepsis, evidence of brain injury, necrotising enterocolitis, visual or hearing impairment, neurodevelopmental outcomes, and feeding method. These were selected according to a Core Outcome Set.Data extraction and synthesis: Data were extracted into Microsoft Excel by 2 researchers, with statistical analysis completed using IBM SPSS. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale.Results: The search returned 3234 papers, from which 204 were included with a total of 45,646 infants born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy across 36 countries. We found limited evidence of an increased risk of some neonatal morbidities, including respiratory disease. There was minimal evidence from low-income settings (1 study) and for neonatal outcomes following first trimester infection (17 studies). Neonatal mortality was very rare. Preterm birth, neonatal unit admission and small for gestational age status were more common in infants born following maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy in most larger studies.Conclusions: There are limited data on neonatal morbidity and mortality following maternal SARS-CoV-2 infectio

Journal article

Burgess -Shannon J, Shefali-Patel D, Battersby C, 2023, Advances in neonatal care, Recent Advances in Pediatrics - 29, Editors: Kulkarni

Chapter highlighting recent advances in neonatal care in the last decade

Book chapter

Lammons W, Moss R, Bignell C, Gale C, MacBride A, Battersby C, Modi Net al., 2023, Involving multiple stakeholders in assessing and reviewing a novel data visualization tool for a national neonatal data asset, BMJ Health & Care Informatics, Vol: 30, Pages: 1-7, ISSN: 2632-1009

Objectives We involved public and professional stakeholders to assess a novel data interrogation tool, the Neonatal Health Intelligence Tool, for a National Data Asset, the National Neonatal Research Database.Methods We recruited parents, preterm adults, data managers, clinicians, network managers and researchers (trialists and epidemiologists) for consultations demonstrating a prototype tool and semi-structured discussion. A thematic analysis of consultations is reported by stakeholder group.Results We held nine on-line consultations (March–December 2021), with 24 stakeholders: parents (n=8), preterm adults (n=2), data managers (n=3), clinicians (n=3), network managers (n=2), triallists (n=3) and epidemiologists (n=3). We identified four themes from parents/preterm adults: struggling to consume information, Dads and data, bring data to life and yearning for predictions; five themes from data managers/clinicians/network managers: benchmarking, clinical outcomes, transfers and activity, the impact of socioeconomic background and ethnicity, and timeliness of updates and widening availability; and one theme from researchers: interrogating the data.Discussion Other patient and public involvement (PPI) studies have reported that data tools generate concerns; our stakeholders had none. They were unanimously supportive and enthusiastic, citing visualisation as the tool’s greatest strength. Stakeholders had no criticisms; instead, they recognised the tool’s potential and wanted more features. Parents saw the tool as an opportunity to inform themselves without burdening clinicians, while clinicians welcomed an aid to explaining potential outcomes to parents.Conclusion All stakeholder groups recognised the need for the tool, praising its content and format. PPI consultations with all key groups, and their synthesis, illustrated desire for additional uses from it.

Journal article

Rees P, Callan C, Chadda K, Vaal M, Diviney J, Sabti S, Harnden F, Gardiner J, Battersby C, Gale C, Sutcliffe Aet al., 2022, Preterm brain injury and neurodevelopmental outcomes: a meta-analysis, Pediatrics, Vol: 150, Pages: 1-15, ISSN: 0031-4005

Context:Preterm brain injuries are common; neurodevelopmental outcomes following contemporary neonatal care are continually evolving.Objective:To systematically review and meta-analyze neurodevelopmental outcomes among preterm infants after intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and white matter injury (WMI). Data Sources:Published and grey literature were searched across 10 databases between 2000-2021Study Selection:Observational studies reporting 3-year neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants with IVH or WMI compared to preterm infants without injury.Data extraction:Study characteristics, population characteristics, and outcome data were extracted.Results:38 studies were included. There was an increased adjusted risk of moderate-severe neurodevelopmental impairment after IVH grade 1-2 (aOR 1.35 [95% CI 1.05, 1.75]) and IVH grade 3-4 (aOR 4.26 [3.25, 5.59]). Children with IVH grade 1-2 had higher risks of cerebral palsy (OR 1.76 [1.39, 2.24)], cognitive (OR 1.79 [1.09, 2.95]), hearing (OR 1.83 CI [1.03. 3.24]), and visual impairment (OR 1.77 [1.08, 2.9]). Children with IVH grade 3-4 had markedly higher risks of cerebral palsy (OR 4.98 [4.13, 6.00)], motor (OR 2.7 [1.52, 4.8)], cognitive (OR 2.3 [1.67, 3.15)], hearing (OR 2.44 [1.42, 4.2)), and visual impairment (OR 5.42 [2.77, 10.58)). Children with WMI had much higher risks of cerebral palsy (OR 14.91 [7.3, 30.46), motor (OR 5.3 [3, 9.36)], and cognitive impairment (OR 3.48 [2.18, 5.53)).Limitations:Heterogeneity of outcome data.Conclusions:Mild IVH, severe IVH, and WMI are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Utilization of core outcomes sets and availability of open-access study data would improve our understanding of the nuances of these outcomes.

Journal article

Yao S, Uthaya S, Gale C, Modi N, Battersby Cet al., 2022, Postnatal corticosteroid use for prevention or treatment of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in England and Wales 2012-2019: a retrospective population cohort study, BMJ Open, Vol: 12, ISSN: 2044-6055

Objective: Describe the population of babies who do and do not receive postnatal corticosteroids for prevention or treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).Design: Retrospective cohort study using data held in the National Neonatal Research Database.Setting: National Health Service neonatal units in England and Wales.Patients: Babies born less than 32 weeks gestation and admitted to neonatal units from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2019.Main outcomes: Proportion of babies given postnatal corticosteroid; type of corticosteroid; age at initiation and duration, trends over time.Secondary outcomes: Survival to discharge, treatment for retinopathy of prematurity, BPD, brain injury, severe necrotising enterocolitis, gastrointestinal perforation.Results: 8% (4713/62019) of babies born <32 weeks and 26% (3525/13527) born <27 weeks received postnatal corticosteroids for BPD. Dexamethasone was predominantly used 5.3% (3309/62019), followed by late hydrocortisone 1.5%, inhaled budesonide 1.5%. prednisolone 0.8%, early hydrocortisone 0.3% and methylprednisolone 0.05%. Dexamethasone use increased over time (2012: 4.5 vs 2019: 5.8%, p=0.04). Median postnatal age of initiation of corticosteroid course was around 3 weeks for late hydrocortisone, 4 weeks for dexamethasone, 6 weeks for inhaled budesonide, 12 weeks for prednisolone and 16 weeks for methylprednisolone. Babies who received postnatal corticosteroids were born more prematurely, had a higher incidence of comorbidities and a longer length of stay.Conclusions: In England and Wales, around 1 in 12 babies born less than 32 weeks and 1 in 4 born less than 27 weeks receive postnatal corticosteroids to prevent or treat BPD. Given the lack of convincing evidence of efficacy, challenges of recruiting to and length of time taken to conduct randomised controlled trial, our data highlight the need to monitor long-term outcomes in children who received neonatal postnatal corticosteroids.

Journal article

Sawtell M, van Blankenstein E, Bilal T, Hall T, Juniper L, Kotsoni J, Lee J, Modi N, Battersby Cet al., 2022, Views of parents, adults born preterm and professionals on linkage of real-world data of preterm babies, Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition, Vol: 108, Pages: 194-199, ISSN: 1359-2998

Objective To explore views of parents of preterm babies, adults born preterm and professionals, on the linkage of real-world health and education data for research on improving future outcomes of babies born preterm.Design Three-stage mixed-methods participatory design involving focus groups, a national survey and interviews. Survey participants who expressed uncertainty or negative views were sampled purposively for invitation to interview. Mixed methods were used for data analysis.Setting and participants All data collection was online. Participants were: focus groups—17 parents; survey—499 parents, 44 adults born preterm (total 543); interviews—6 parents, 1 adult born preterm, 3 clinicians, 2 teachers.Results Three key themes were identified: (1) Data linkage and opt-out consent make sense for improving future outcomes. We found clear demand for better information on long-term outcomes and strong support for data linkage with opt-out consent as a means of achieving this. (2) Information requirements—what, how and when. There was support for providing information in different formats and discussing linkage near to, or following discharge from, the neonatal unit, but not sooner. (3) Looking to the future; the rights of young people. We identified a desire for individuals born preterm to be consulted in the future on the use of their data.Conclusion With appropriate information provision, at the right time, parents, adults born preterm and professionals are supportive of data linkage for research, including where temporary identifiers and opt-out consent are used. Resources are being co-produced to improve communication about routine data linkage.

Journal article

Evans K, Battersby C, Boardman JP, Boyle EM, Carroll WD, Dinwiddy K, Dorling J, Gallagher K, Hardy P, Johnston E, Mactier H, Marcroft C, Webbe J, Gale Cet al., 2022, National priority setting partnership using a Delphi consensus process to develop neonatal research questions suitable for practice-changing randomised trials in the United Kingdom, BMJ Open, Vol: 12, Pages: 1-6, ISSN: 2044-6055

Introduction Methodologically robust clinical trials are required to improve neonatal care and reduce unwanted variations in practice. Previous neonatal research prioritisation processes have identified important research themes rather than specific research questions amenable to clinical trials. Practice-changing trials require well-defined research questions, commonly organised using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) structure. By narrowing the scope of research priorities to those which can be answered in clinical trials and by involving a wide range of different stakeholders, we aim to provide a robust and transparent process to identify and prioritise research questions answerable within the National Healthcare System to inform future practice-changing clinical trials.Methods and analysis A steering group comprising parents, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, researchers and representatives from key organisations (Neonatal Society, British Association of Perinatal Medicine, Neonatal Nurses Association and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health) was identified to oversee this project. We will invite submissions of research questions formatted using the PICO structure from the following stakeholder groups using an online questionnaire: parents, patients, healthcare professionals and academic researchers. Unanswered, non-duplicate research questions will be entered into a three-round eDelphi survey of all stakeholder groups. Research questions will be ranked by mean aggregate scores.Ethics and dissemination The final list of prioritised research questions will be disseminated through traditional academic channels, directly to key stakeholder groups through representative organisations and on social media. The outcome of the project will be shared with key research organisations such as the National Institute for Health Research. Research ethics committee approval is not required.

Journal article

Hurrell A, Sparkes J, Duhig K, Seed PT, Myers J, Battersby C, Clark K, Green M, Hunter RM, Shennan AH, Chappell LC, Webster Let al., 2022, Placental growth fActor Repeat sampling for Reduction of adverse perinatal Outcomes in women with suspecTed pre-eclampsia: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (PARROT-2), Trials, Vol: 23, Pages: 1-12, ISSN: 1745-6215

BackgroundPre-eclampsia is a complex pregnancy disorder, characterised by new or worsening hypertension associated with multi-organ dysfunction. Adverse outcomes include eclampsia, liver rupture, stroke, pulmonary oedema, and acute kidney injury in the mother, and stillbirth, foetal growth restriction, and iatrogenic preterm delivery for the foetus. Angiogenic biomarkers, including placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), have been identified as valuable biomarkers for preterm pre-eclampsia, accelerating diagnosis and reducing maternal adverse outcomes by risk stratification, with enhanced surveillance for high-risk women. PlGF-based testing for suspected preterm pre-eclampsia has been incorporated into national guidance. The role of repeat PlGF-based testing and its effect on maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes have yet to be evaluated.MethodsThe PARROT-2 trial is a multi-centre randomised controlled trial of repeat revealed PlGF-based testing compared to repeat concealed testing, in women presenting with suspected pre-eclampsia between 22+0 and 35+6 weeks’ gestation. The primary objective is to establish whether repeat PlGF-based testing decreases a composite of perinatal severe adverse outcomes (stillbirth, early neonatal death, or neonatal unit admission). All women prior to enrolment in the trial will have an initial revealed PlGF-based test. Repeat PlGF-based tests will be performed weekly or two-weekly, depending on the initial PlGF-based test result, with results randomised to revealed or concealed.DiscussionNational guidance recommends that all women presenting with suspected preterm pre-eclampsia should have a single PlGF-based test when disease is first suspected, to help rule out pre-eclampsia. Clinical and cost-effectiveness of repeat PlGF-based testing has yet to be investigated. This trial aims to address whether repeat PlGF-based testing reduces severe maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes and whethe

Journal article

Webbe J, Battersby C, Longford N, Ougham K, Uthaya S, Modi N, Gale Cet al., 2022, Use of parenteral nutrition in the first postnatal week in England and Wales: An observational study using real-world data, BMJ Paediatrics Open, Vol: 6, ISSN: 2399-9772

BackgroundParenteral nutrition (PN) is used to provide supplemental support to neonates while enteral feeding is being established. PN is a high-cost intervention with beneficial and harmful effects. Internationally there is substantial variation in how PN is used, and there are limited contemporary data describing use across the UK. ObjectiveTo describe PN use in the first postnatal week in infants born and admitted to neonatal care in England, Scotland and Wales.MethodData describing neonates admitted to National Health Service (NHS) neonatal units between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2017, extracted from routinely recorded data held the National Neonatal Research Database (NNRD); the denominator was live births, from Office for National Statistics.ResultsOver the study period 62,145 neonates were given PN in the first postnatal week (1.4% of all live births); use was higher in more preterm neonates (76% of livebirths at <28 weeks, 0.2% of term livebirths) and in neonates with lower birth weight. 15% (9181/62145) of neonates given PN in the first postnatal week were born at term. There was geographic variation in PN administration: the proportion of live births given PN within neonatal regional networks ranged from 1.0% (95% confidence intervals: 1.0, 1.0) to 2.8% (95% confidence interval: 2.7, 2.9). Conclusions and relevanceSignificant variation exists in neonatal PN use; it is unlikely this reflects optimal use of an expensive intervention. Research is needed to identify which babies will benefit most and which are at risk of harm from early PN. RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03767634

Journal article

Moss R, Lammons W, Johnson S, Ribas R, Uthaya S, Battersby C, Cornelius V, Babalis D, Modi Net al., 2022, More than words: Parent, Patient and Public Involvement perspectives on language used by clinical researchers in neonatal care, Early Human Development, Vol: 171, Pages: 1-3, ISSN: 0378-3782

In this qualitative study exploring parent views of information about research studies, we found they accepted uncertainty as justification, and that three key aspects of language - words, tone, and pace - influence parents' decision about their baby's inclusion. We recommend parents are routinely involved in developing information materials.

Journal article

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