Table 1

Studies included in the systematic review

Authors (reference number)Country of origin of the studyStudy methodology
Berglund et al15 Sweden

  • Retrospective review of malpractice claims (1990–2005 nationwide insurance database)

  • Reviewed the immediate postdelivery management in medical case notes (obstetric and neonatal) of severely asphyxiated infants following presumed malpractice in labour

  • Authors highlighted failure events in conjunction with neonatal resuscitation specifically based on their neonatal resus guidelines

Fallahi et al14 Tehran

  • Retrospective review of malpractice cases in Tehran 2012–2014

  • Data from the Medical Commissions office (National database)

Fanos et al18 Italy

  • Retrospective review of malpractice claims (2005–2010) from a nationwide database in Italy

  • Studied neonatal claims specifically in the labour room, nursery and NICU

Hawdon et al19 UK

  • Retrospective review of cases from NHS Litigation Authority Claims Management database (2002–2011)

  • Data extracted from the national database, letters of complaints and responses

Muniraman et al16 USA

  • Retrospective review of cases from Westlaw database (1980–2016)

  • National legal database

  • Review of medical and legal notes

Nguyen et al13 USA

  • Retrospective review of cases from Westlaw database (January 1975– August 2016)

  • National legal database

  • Review of medical and legal notes

Rennie et al20 UK

  • Retrospective review of cases from NHS resolution database (2001–2011)

  • Data extracted from the national database, letters of claim and response

Zhou et al21 China

  • Retrospective analysis of cerebral palsy malpractice claims collected from 1999 to 2017

  • National database

Ashcroft17 UK

  • Retrospective review of babies that had been admitted to the Neonatal unit with severe birth asphyxia

  • Collected over a set time period (February 2001–March 2002) from seven maternity units (regional data)

  • Cognitive interviewing technique of staff involved, the data from the interviews and case notes were presented to an expert panel who applied the Bolam test to identify acceptable standard of care

Kaempf et al10 USA

  • Retrospective review of live births in single centre (April 1996–December 2013) of infants born at 22+0–26+6 to identify resuscitation and outcome

  • Highlight any cases with parental complaints or dissatisfaction expressed during counselling or formally via legal department

Mangurten et al11 USA

  • Retrospective review of cases (1972–1992)

  • Single centre—tertiary NICU

  • Review of medical and legal notes

Donn and Fanaroff12 USA

  • Review article with two actual legal cases presented highlighting medicolegal issues around offering neuroprotective hypothermia

  • NHS, National Health Service; NICU, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.