Karen Fairchild, MD
A groundbreaking multicenter clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open explores whether ventilatory assistance before umbilical cord clamping improves outcomes for extremely preterm infants. The study, which enrolled 570 infants born before 29 weeks’ gestation, compared two approaches: 120 seconds of assisted ventilation before cord clamping versus 30–60 seconds of delayed cord clamping followed by standard resuscitation. The results showed no significant difference in rates of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or early death between the two groups. While the intervention did not reduce IVH or mortality, the study contributes important insights into neonatal resuscitation practices.
This research was led in part by Karen Fairchild, MD, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, at the University of Virginia, whose expertise in neonatal cardiorespiratory monitoring and resuscitation continues to shape clinical care for vulnerable newborns. The study was recently honored by the International Society for Evidence-Based Neonatology as Impact Article of the Year in 2024. This award recognizes research that significantly influences neonatal practice and sparks global discussion. The winning article received 57.6% of the final vote, reflecting its strong impact and relevance to clinicians worldwide.
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