Supplementary Material for: Feasibility of a Novel ECG Electrode Placement Method in Newborn Infants

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.

背景：国际新生儿复苏指南推荐在新生儿出生时开展心电图（electrocardiogram, ECG）心率（heart rate, HR）监测。本研究评估了固定于聚乙烯贴片的预组装心电图电极的贴敷时长，该贴片可无需粘合剂即可贴合新生儿胸部湿润皮肤。
研究目标：采用三电极预组装心电图贴片构型，通过视频分析计算应用成功率，并在三个时间点进行测量：(1) 电极贴敷时长；(2) 贴敷后识别到清晰QRS波群的时长；(3) 贴敷后输出心率数据的时长。
方法：在英国两家三级助产机构开展一项前瞻性观察性研究，共纳入71名新生儿，其中23名需接受新生儿复苏干预。
结果：心电图贴片贴敷时长的中位数（四分位距，IQR）为8（6~10）秒，贴敷后识别清晰QRS波群的时长为8（2~12）秒，贴敷后输出心率数据的时长为23（15~37）秒。
结论：预组装胸部心电图电极可在新生儿出生时快速获取心率监测数据，且不会出现电极脱落或损伤皮肤完整性的问题。