Origins of Neonatal Intensive Care

Abstract

This is the edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held at the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine,London, on 27 April 1999. First published by the Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at UCL, 2001.©The Trustee of the Wellcome Trust, London, 2001.All volumes are freely available online at: www.history.qmul.ac.uk/research/modbiomed/wellcome_witnesses/Annotated and edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held on 27 April 1999. Introduction by Professor Peter Dunn.Annotated and edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held on 27 April 1999. Introduction by Professor Peter Dunn.Annotated and edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held on 27 April 1999. Introduction by Professor Peter Dunn.Annotated and edited transcript of a Witness Seminar held on 27 April 1999. Introduction by Professor Peter Dunn.Chaired by Professor Robert Boyd, this seminar reviewed the development and changes in care of the newborn in the UK over the past 50 years. Advances in techniques were described, such as mechanical ventilation, total parenteral nutrition and continuous monitoring of vital signs, to care for ill or vulnerable newborn infnts. Diagnostic techniques that were developed and introduced in the 1970s and early 1980s were discussed, such as ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging and near infrared spectroscopy, for the non-invasive investigation of the brain, as well as the setting up of neonatal intensive care units. Witnesses include: Professor Eva Alberman, Dr Herbert Barrie, Professor Richard Cooke, Dr Beryl Corner, Dr Pamela Davies, Professor John Davis, Professor David Delpy, Professor Victor and Dr Lilly Dubowitz, the late Professor Harold Gamsu, Professor David Harvey, Professor Colin Normand, Professor Tom Oppé, Professor Osmund Reynolds, Dr Jean Smellie, Professor Maureen Young and nurses, including Miss Anthea Blake, Miss Caroline Dux and Miss Mae Nugent. Christie D A, Tansey E M. (eds) (2001) Origins of neonatal intensive care, Wellcome Witnesses to Twentieth Century Medicine, vol. 9. London: The Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at UCL. IBSN 978 085484 0762The Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at UCL is funded by the Wellcome Trust, which is a registered charity, no. 210183