Advancing Neonatal Resuscitation: Key Takeaways from the 8th Annual Symposium
01/30/2026
The 8th Annual Neonatal Resuscitation Symposium, hosted by Riley Children’s Health and the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, brought together more than 400 attendees from over 25 countries—both virtually and in-person at Hine Hall in Indianapolis. This year’s event reaffirmed Riley’s commitment to leading-edge care, research, and education in neonatology, with a focus on the latest advances in neonatal resuscitation science, practice, education, and ethics.
The symposium fostered a spirit of collaboration and interactive discussion, with national and international experts from top-ranked hospitals sharing insights and best practices. Here is a short recap of this year’s symposium highlights and discussion.
1. Oxygen Treatment in Preterm Infants
Dr. Ju-Lee Oei presented findings from the TO2RPIDO study and related trials, exploring optimal oxygen concentrations during resuscitation of infants born before 32 weeks’ gestation. The research emphasized the need to reduce oxidative stress and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes, while highlighting that the question of ideal oxygen levels remains open and adaptive research platforms are needed.
2. Advances in Neonatal Resuscitation: Animal Models
Dr. Satyan Lakshminrusimha reviewed recent multicenter research on resuscitation strategies, underscoring the importance of avoiding both hyperoxia and hypercapnia after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The session highlighted evolving best practices, including the use of delayed cord clamping and advanced ventilation techniques to protect the neonatal brain.
3. Perinatal Ethics and Care Coordination
Dr. Naomi Laventhal discussed ethical frameworks for neonatal resuscitation decisions, prenatal counseling, and the coordination of complex deliveries. Her presentation offered practical strategies for supporting families through high-stakes decision-making, emphasizing the importance of communication, planning, and team-based care.
4. Umbilical Cord Milking in Low-Resource Settings
Dr. Zubair H. Aghai shared clinical trial data comparing umbilical cord milking to early cord clamping in non-vigorous preterm infants, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The findings support optimizing placental transfusion strategies to improve both short- and long-term outcomes for vulnerable newborns.
5. Next-Generation Tools for Neonatal Resuscitation
Dr. Georg Schmölzer explored the future of neonatal care, showcasing innovations such as advanced fetal heart rate monitoring, AI-assisted ventilation, and advanced simulation platforms. These technologies are poised to enhance precision, consistency, and outcomes in the delivery room.
“As symposium co-chairs, we are inspired by the dedication and innovation demonstrated by our colleagues from around the world. By bringing together diverse perspectives and the latest research, we are driving forward the science and practice of neonatal resuscitation—ensuring that every newborn receives the highest standard of care from their very first moments.” — Bobbi Byrne, MD & Edgardo Szyid, MD, MSC, Symposium Co-Chairs
Riley Children’s Health and the IU School of Medicine are already planning for the next Neonatal Resuscitation Symposium, scheduled for September 10–11, 2026, in Indianapolis. Ongoing education and training opportunities will continue to drive innovation and excellence in neonatal care.
Learn more about Riley Children’s Health neonatology program, research, and clinical breakthroughs in the annual report.