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Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · Am J Perinatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2781-4614
Original Article

Neonatal Postresuscitation Care in Brazil: A National Overview

Authors

  • João Cesar Lyra 

    1   Department of Pediatrics, UNESP, Univiversidade Estadual Paulista, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

  • Ligia Maria S.S. Rugolo

    1   Department of Pediatrics, UNESP, Univiversidade Estadual Paulista, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

  • Leni Marcia Anchieta

    2   Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

  • Ruth Guinsburg

    3   Division of Neonatal Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil

  • Maria Fernanda Branco de Almeida

    3   Division of Neonatal Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract

Objectives

Postresuscitation care (PRC) encompasses structured and systematic interventions aimed at promptly stabilizing at-risk newborns in order to improve clinical outcomes. This study aimed to assess PRC practices as reported by pediatricians who serve as instructors in the Brazilian Neonatal Resuscitation Program (BNRP) of the Brazilian Pediatric Society.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive survey among BNRP instructors. Data were collected via a 55-item online questionnaire (Google Forms), covering respondents' professional background, primary work setting, and specific PRC practices. A convenience sample was used, and descriptive statistics summarized the findings.

Results

A total of 740 responses were obtained, representing 63% of BNRP instructors. Of these, 79% were neonatologists, 88% with over 10 years of professional experience. Most worked in public (61%) and teaching hospitals (76%). Only 41% had received targeted PRC training; of these, 56% had exclusively theoretical instruction. Regarding the scope of PRC, 37% believed interventions were indicated solely for newborns requiring intubation, chest compression, or medications in the delivery room. Overall, 49% of respondents reported having written PRC protocols at their institutions, though their content and implementation varied considerably.

Conclusion

PRC practices in Brazil are neither homogeneous nor systematically implemented across most neonatology services involving BNRP instructors. These findings highlight the pressing need for enhanced dissemination of standardized PRC protocols and comprehensive training for pediatricians engaged in neonatal care.

Key Points

  • PRC can improve outcomes in high-risk newborns, but its real-world application remains poorly described in middle-income countries.

  • This is the largest study to date on PRC practices, based on responses from instructors of the Brazilian Neonatal Resuscitation Program.

  • Findings reveal the need for structured training and underscore the importance of further research on the impact of standardized PRC on neonatal outcomes.

Keywords

newborn - patient care planning - resuscitation - survey

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 26 July 2025

Accepted: 30 December 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
12 January 2026

Article published online:
21 January 2026

© 2026. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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