WellChild Research Projects

Sudden unexpected early postnatal collapse

Researcher: Dr Julie-Clare Becher, Consultant Neonatologist, Dept of Neonatology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

Grant award sum: £8,900

Duration: November 2008 - April 2010

Synopsis: Most babies are healthy at birth and do not need extra medical care. Tragically there are rare cases where some babies who appear well at birth collapse unexpectedly in the first hours of life and need urgent resuscitation. Around half of these babies die and most of the others are severely brain damaged. These babies do not register on a national scale - they are a missing group of infants of which little is known. These babies are a similar group to those infants who die unexpectedly later in the first year of life but they are not being investigated as thoroughly.

Because these cases are rare, paediatricians find it difficult to find why they have happened. Although a cause is found in some cases, many go unexplained. This is extremely frustrating for the doctors involved as it is difficult to know how to prevent such a tragedy happening again. It is also devastating to parents who often wrongly feel guilty and believe they were responsible.

Information will be collected through the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit to find out how commonly these cases happen in the UK and investigate the reasons why. This information will give the research team a better understanding of this condition and help provide the safest care for newborn babies in the future. The team will then be able to collaborate with a group of experts to develop a standard set of tests to guide clinicians when faced with such a tragedy in the future.

This project will provide important information regarding these infants in whom there is almost universal mortality or severe disability. By establishing a standard ‘best practice’ it is hoped that clear guidelines for the investigation of such infants will be established so a clear diagnosis is made in more cases. Through a greater understanding of why infants collapse it may be possible to identify those at risk earlier and establish safe guidelines for the best early postnatal care of all babies