Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised trials were eligible for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies that compared the use of crystalloid and colloid solutions in PET designed to reduce central haematocrit to 55% or less were eligible for the review. The crystalloids used in the included studies were normal saline and Ringers lactate; the colloids were fresh frozen plasma, albumin and a serum preparation.
Participants included in the review
The participants were newborn babies with documented central polycythaemia (central haematocrit 65% or more). One included study covered only symptomatic patients; in the remaining studies, patients could be either symptomatic or asymptomatic.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The outcomes of interest were long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes, short-term clinical outcomes, physiological and laboratory findings, and adverse events.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.