Heartlight: Heart Rate Monitoring for Newborn Resuscitation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Heartlight: Heart Rate Monitoring for Newborn Resuscitation
IRAS ID
187149
Contact name
Don Sharkey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Globally, each year there are approximately 3.6 million neonatal deaths (i.e. in the first 28 days of life) with 70% occurring on the first day of life. Up to 10% of newborns (79000/yr in UK, 13 million/yr worldwide) require some form of resuscitation at birth. It is estimated that approximately 7 million babies worldwide, especially the premature group, will require more advanced resuscitation. Effective resuscitation is guided by changes in heart rate (HR). Current methods of assessing HR (via a stethoscope) are prone to error, interrupt resuscitation or only give HR after 1-2 minutes. Provision of an accurate and timely HR value is essential if the best care outcomes are to be achieved.
“HeartLight” is a forehead mounted optical sensor integrated within a newborn hat which is hoped will provide earlier and more accurate HR than methods currently available. The hat will enable clinicians to resuscitate ‘hands-free’, reduce delays and errors, and so improve the management and outcomes of resuscitation. HeartLight would fit naturally into the existing care pathway allowing both quick and accurate HR monitoring as well as avoiding hypothermia.This study will recruit babies at or soon after birth. They will be monitored using the new device for up to about 30 minutes. It will also gather the views of mothers and staff on the new device. The study will take place at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0522
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion