A new look at the neonatal electrocardiogram.
Key result
Routine neonatal electrocardiogram screening in 818 newborns identified 57 with abnormal recordings, including 12 with asymptomatic conduction abnormalities and 10 with congenital cardiac anomalies.
Why the study?
Does routine neonatal ECG screening detect conduction abnormalities and congenital heart disease in newborn babies?
Population
818 newborn babies kept in a local maternity unit for nine days after delivery
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
6 to 8 weeks (up to 1 year for some cases)
Authors
Discussion
Loading...
Member takes
Implication
May support neonatal ECG screening for early detection; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=818)
Structured PICO
Does routine neonatal ECG screening detect conduction abnormalities and congenital heart disease in newborn babies?
P
Population
818 newborn babies who underwent routine neonatal electrocardiogram screening between April 1975 and April 1976.
E
Exposure
Routine screening electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded between the 7th and 10th day of life
O
Outcome
Detection of conduction abnormalities, congenital heart disease, and potential link to sudden infant death syndrome
Routine neonatal ECG screening is a simple, non-invasive procedure that can detect asymptomatic conduction abnormalities and congenital heart disease early in life.
Limitations
- Many thousands of ECGs will have to be carried out before a firm conclusion can be drawn about the problem of cot deaths
Cite This Study
Southall et al. (1976) conducted an observational in Neonatal electrocardiogram screening (n=818). Neonatal electrocardiogram was evaluated on Abnormal ECG recordings. Routine neonatal electrocardiogram screening in 818 newborns identified 57 with abnormal recordings, including 12 with asymptomatic conduction abnormalities and 10 with congenital cardiac anomalies.