Robert Usher

Neonatologist whose pioneering research had international influence

The Canadian neonatologist Robert Usher's many scientific contributions to perinatal medicine over half a century revealed the depth of his clinical experience as well as his powers of observation, original thought, and analysis. His earlier papers dealt with clinical and therapeutic aspects of the respiratory distress syndrome of prematurity. The introduction of the “Usher's regime”—giving sodium bicarbonate intravenously from birth to maintain blood pH within normal limits—throughout the world in the early 1960s did much to arouse paediatric interest in the neonatal period. Also, after a year spent with Professor John Lind in Stockholm in 1962, Usher made important contributions to the influence that management of the umbilical cord at birth might have on the neonatal blood volume, on polycythaemia, and on cardiopulmonary function.

Usher's other research subjects included perinatal maturation, nutrition, and growth, maternal diabetes in pregnancy, and the influence of delivery on fetal adaptation at birth. He was also most interested in the organisation and audit of perinatal care, including the causes and prevention of mortality and morbidity. Indeed his latest efforts before his death were to ensure that the Montreal obstetric and neonatal database was in good working order. For 46 years he had personally reviewed the charts of every baby (and of their mothers) born at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital, where he was director of nurseries. His extensive knowledge of perinatal care and epidemiology was made available to international bodies such as the World Health Organization, as well as to governments. In particular he gave great support to the Brazilian and Cuban perinatal services.

Robert Usher was born in Montreal in 1929. He was educated there, qualifying in medicine at McGill University in 1954. After residencies in Philadelphia and Boston, Usher returned to Montreal, first as a research fellow and then from 1959 as director of nurseries at the Royal Victoria Hospital, a post he held for more than 40 years. At McGill University he progressed to become professor of both obstetrics and paediatrics.

Bob loved the outdoors and was never happier than when swimming, walking, skiing, or chopping wood on his farm in the Laurentian Mountains.

He leaves a wife, Anne, and three daughters.

Robert H Usher, former director of nurseries Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Canada (b Montreal 1929; q McGill University, Montreal, 1954), died from prostate cancer on 25 May 2006.