title: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a prognostic marker in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: a study protocol for an individual patient data meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prognostic accuracy of 1H (proton) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy has been assessed by a criticized study-based meta-analysis. An individual patient data meta-analysis may overcome some of the drawbacks encountered in the aggregate data meta-analysis. Moreover, the prognostic marker can be assessed quantitatively and the effect of covariates can be estimated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnostic accuracy studies relevant to the study topic were retrieved. The primary authors will be invited to share the raw de-identified study data. These individual patient data will be analyzed using logistic regression analysis. A prediction tool calculating the individualized risk of very adverse outcome will be devised.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed individual patient data meta-analysis provides several advantages. Inclusion and exclusion criteria can be applied more uniformly. Furthermore, adjustment is possible for confounding factors and subgroup analyses can be conducted. Our goal is to develop a prediction model for outcome in newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, P, Debyelaan 25, PO Box 5800, 6202AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. pieter.degraeuwe@mumc.nl.
authors.forename: Pieter Lj
authors.initials: PLj
authors.lastname: Degraeuwe
authors.forename: Gerald J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Jaspers
authors.forename: Nicola J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Alfons Gh
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Kessels
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D012107:Research Design