title: Effect of neonatal resuscitation courses on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of newborn infants with perinatal asphyxia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In previous studies, it has been demonstrated that Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) courses improve the early outcomes of infants with perinatal asphyxia, but there has been no evidence to demonstrate the effect of NRP on long-term outcomes of perinatal asphyxia. The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of NRP courses on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcome of perinatal asphyxia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included infants referred to the Neonatal Unit during the years 2003-2005. Those patients who were referred before NRP courses (pretraining period) were designated as group 1, those who were referred after the first NRP course (transition period) as group 2, and those who were referred after the second NRP course (post-training period) as group 3. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed and compared at 4-6 years of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study involved 40 patients: 23 in group 1, nine in group 2 and eight in group 3. The number of patients who had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy was 13 in group 1, two in group 2, and one in group 3, which was a significant decrease. The number of patients with seizures and electroencephalography abnormality was 12 and 14 in group 1, three and two in group 2, and one and one in group 3, respectively, which was also a significant decrease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NRP courses have positive effects on short-term as well as long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants with perinatal asphyxia. Further studies are required to determine the effects of NRP courses on minor deficits, such as cognitive and behavioral disturbances.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Trakya University Faculty of Medicine, Edirne, Turkey. ridvan_duran@yahoo.com
authors: Ridvan
authors: R
authors: Duran
authors: Işik
authors: I
authors: Görker
authors: Yasemin
authors: Y
authors: Küçükuğurluoğlu
authors: Nükhet Aladağ
authors: NA
authors: Çiftdemir
authors: Ulfet
authors: U
authors: Vatansever Özbek
authors: Betül
authors: B
authors: Acunaş
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001237:Asphyxia; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D018743:Perinatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D012640:Seizures / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome