Feasibility of a Novel ECG Electrode Placement Method in Newborn Infants

Henry, Caroline; Shipley, Lara; Morgan, Stephen; Crowe, John A.; Carpenter, James; Hayes-Gill, Barrie; Sharkey, Don

doi:10.1159/000521530

Authors

Caroline Henry

Lara Shipley

Stephen Morgan

John A. Crowe

James Carpenter

BARRIE HAYES-GILL BARRIE.HAYES-GILL@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Electronic Systems and Medical Devices

DON SHARKEY don.sharkey@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Neonatal Medicine and Technologies

Abstract

Background: International newborn resuscitation guidelines recommend electrocardiogram (ECG) heart rate (HR) monitoring at birth. We evaluated the application time of pre-set ECG electrodes fixed to a polyethene patch allowing adhesive-free attachment to the wet skin of the newborn chest. Objectives: Using a three-electrode pre-set ECG patch configuration, application success was calculated using video analysis and measured at three time points, the time to (1) apply electrodes; (2) detect recognizable QRS complexes after application; and (3) display a HR after application. Method: A prospective observational study in two UK tertiary maternity units was undertaken with 71 newborns including 23 who required resuscitation. Results: The median (IQR) time for ECG patch application was 8 (6-10) seconds, detection of recognizable QRS complexes 8 (2-12) seconds, and time to output HR was 23 (15-37) seconds. Conclusion: Pre-set ECG chest electrodes allow rapid HR information at birth without electrode detachment or compromising skin integrity.

Citation

Henry, C., Shipley, L., Morgan, S., Crowe, J. A., Carpenter, J., Hayes-Gill, B., & Sharkey, D. (2022). Feasibility of a Novel ECG Electrode Placement Method in Newborn Infants. Neonatology, 119(2), 264-267. https://doi.org/10.1159/000521530

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Nov 23, 2021
Online Publication Date	Feb 7, 2022
Publication Date	Mar 1, 2022
Deposit Date	Dec 23, 2021
Publicly Available Date	Feb 8, 2023
Journal	Neonatology
Print ISSN	1661-7800
Electronic ISSN	1661-7819
Publisher	Karger Publishers
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	119
Issue	2
Pages	264-267
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1159/000521530
Keywords	Developmental Biology; Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
Public URL	https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/7057870
Publisher URL	https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/521530