Sudden Unexpected Early Postnatal Collapse

Lead investigator

Dr Julie-Clare Becher
Consultant Neonatologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer
Department of Neonatology
Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Little France
Edinburgh
EH16 4SA

Email: julie-clare.becher@luht.scot.nhs.uk
Tel: 0131 242 2576/ 2567

Overview

• Sudden unexpected collapse of a healthy term infant in the early postnatal period is a rare and devastating scenario in which 50% of infants die and the majority of survivors suffer severe neurological damage.
• Although well recognised in individual centres, these infants fail to register nationally, a missing group of ‘mortality and morbidity’ who are currently under-investigated.
• A UK preliminary survey has shown that there is no consistent approach to investigation among clinicians and many cases remain unexplained.
• We propose the first national study aimed to describe the incidence, presenting features, investigation and outcome of such infants.
• Consultant paediatricians will be asked to report all cases of sudden unexpected postnatal collapse every month. A questionnaire seeking demographic and clinical data will be sent to reporting clinicians at the point of notification and again at 12 months to determine outcome.
• The study’s findings will raise the profile of this group and help to establish guidelines for the optimal early postnatal care of all infants.
• The study also expects to demonstrate the widely disparate approach to investigation of these infants and thus highlight the need for a consensus.

Duration: November 2008 – November 2009 (13 months)

Funding: WellChild

Ethical approval: This study has been approved by the London REC (Ref: 08/H0718/47) and has been granted PIAG Section 251 Support ( PIAG 5-06(FT1)/2008)

Study Contact Details:

Co-investigators
Dr Andrew Lyon: andrew.lyon@luht.scot.nhs.uk
Dr Shetty Bhushan: shetty.bhushan@luht.scot.nhs.uk

Further Information

• Protocol Card (PDF, 101KB, 2 pages)