Inditherm launches Lifestart resuscitation unit

'LifeStart' facilitates the delaying of the clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord following childbirth by providing resuscitation at a newborn baby's bedside.

A significant amount of clinical research has highlighted the benefits of delayed cord clamping (DCC) for a newborn baby. Some of the benefits include: significant increase in blood volume; continued supply of oxygenated blood; lower risk of requiring transfusion; reduction in anaemia and iron deficiency; and potential reduction in long-term cognitive and behavioural problems.

The strength of the evidence has led to changes in the guidelines issued by many key national and international bodies in obstetrics & gynaecology such as the World Health Organisation and Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists.

Traditional resuscitation units are not suitable for use at the delivery bedside, thus requiring the umbilical cord to be cut to allow the baby to be treated.

LifeStart overcomes this issue due to its compact design and ability to deliver all the required functions close enough to the mother to permit the umbilical cord to be left intact for the critical first few minutes, much of the research shows that at least 3 minutes gives the most benefit.

It is an additional emotional and bonding advantage, when that the baby does not need to be separated from its mother in the first minutes after delivery.

The unit has been designed with guidance from a multi-centre team of obstetricians and paediatricians who have been conducting extensive research on DCC.

In addition to LifeStart, Inditherm has recently introduced a range of accessory items for use by neonatal units, designed to embrace developmental care practices used when caring for newborn babies.

The range not only complements Inditherm's own products, such as CosyTherm and CosyCrib, but also fits other equipment already in use in hospitals.

The range includes baby nests - which provide boundaries and create a feeling of security for infants, as well as hoods and covers which fit to cribs, cots and incubators, protecting babies from light and draughts and reducing the impact of external noise.

The CosyNest, CosyCover and CosyHood ranges add to Inditherm's market leading CosyTherm neonatal warming system and CosyCrib advanced neonatal crib and treatment unit.

The range has been designed with guidance and input from practising clinicians and neonatal nurses, and the fabrics have a cheerful appearance to create the feeling of a normal nursery environment for parents.

Nick Bettles, Chief Executive of Inditherm, said, "The evidence for DCC is very compelling and there is a growing clamour from the clinical community to change historic practice. We are delighted to be leading the market by providing the necessary equipment to enable widest uptake of such an important change, which will inevitably lead to healthier babies. Our new neonatal range is adding further to our image in maternity and newborn care in the UK and was very well received by our distributors at recent events. This again broadens our offer to the neonatal market, strengthening our presence in the delivery suite particularly."

See the Lifestart and Inditherm's range of neonatal products on stand 7B46 at the Arab Health exhibition in Dubai from 28 - 31 January 2013.