News

Complex Antenatal Care Survey

This survey is conducted by the Paediatrics team in Armadale Hospital, Mount Nasura, WA. Our team consists of Dr Florence Wong (senior paediatric registrar), Dr Sameer Pupala (Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologists) and Dr Sheeba Qamer (Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologists).

This survey is targeted for all Paediatricians/Neonatologist, Obstetricians, and Maternal-fetal specialist, all over Australia.

Aim:
We are aiming to develop a robust pathway for management of antenatally diagnosed fetal anomalies in peripheral centres and improve neonatal care.  The purpose of our survey is to assess the need for an efficient antenatal consultation system and to quantify the challenges faced by peripheral hospitals which are preventable with a proper antenatal pathway.

Background:  
Maternal- fetal consultation at secondary hospitals are challenging, which can increase the risk of complications in perinatal and post-natal period. Although there is improved antenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies, there is a need for a pertinent antenatal consultation and optimal neonatal management plan. We identified the following issues in antenatal diagnosis and management of this cohort at secondary hospitals.

  1. Inefficient interdisciplinary communication and follow-up after antenatal diagnosis.
  2. Missed antenatal diagnosis in resource limited setting.
  3. Difficulties and delay in appropriate management of neonates in perinatal period.
  4. Delay in accessing subspecialty input.
  5. Risk imposed by inter-facility transport of sick neonate.

Method:
An anonymous survey will be completed by different specialities, including Paediatricians/Neonatologist, Obstetricians, and Maternal-fetal specialist, all over Australia. All data will be securely stored in the health system.

Contact details:
Florence Wong
Senior registrar Paediatrics at Armadale Hospital, Mount Nasura, WA.
Email: [email protected]