What is Neonatal Resuscitation?

When a newborn has a heartbeat or apnea, it is necessary to take appropriate measures for resuscitation in time. So, how to judge whether the newborn needs resuscitation? What is the specific process and operation method of neonatal resuscitation? After the resuscitation is over, how to monitor? What are the precautions? 

Ⅰ. What is neonatal resuscitation

When the newborn's heart rate and breathing stop temporarily, a series of timely and effective measures are used to restore the heartbeat and breathing, so that life can be continued.

In addition to the extremely rare heart disease, the main cause of neonatal cardiac arrest is hypoxia of myocardial cells caused by apnea. Once the newborn's breathing stops, the heart will stop beating in a short time. If first aid measures such as artificial respiration can be taken in time at this time, cardiac arrest can be avoided.

Neonatal resuscitation is divided into 2 stages, and the treatment measures are as follows.

1. Basic life support

Refers to a series of technical methods designed to restore heartbeat and breathing when cardiac arrest or apnea occurs. Such measures are often convenient and easy to implement, and can be done by medical personnel or non-medical personnel who have only received simple first aid training.

Although the means of basic life support are relatively simple, it is the first emergency measure and is essential to saving the life of a newborn. After taking such measures to stabilize the child’s condition, he needs to be sent to a medical institution with relevant medical capabilities for further life support.

2. Advanced life support

After maintaining the life of the child through basic life support, further treatment is needed. This stage of treatment is attended by medical staff with relevant skills and experience. It includes a series of activities such as resuming breathing, pressing the heart, infusion, and monitoring of vital signs. These activities require a clear division of labor and a high degree of collaboration.

Ⅱ. Which newborns need neonatal resuscitation

After leaving the shelter of the uterus, the vast majority of newborns can breathe spontaneously without relying on outside help. However, about 10% of newborns cannot adapt to the new environment after leaving the uterus. They need to rely on external force to breathe, and even need some powerful means to maintain breathing.

However, in one of the following situations, neonatal resuscitation is not recommended.

1. The gestational age of the newborn is too short (<23 weeks), or the weight is too low (<400 grams).

2. Newborns are brainless.

3. The newborn has a fatal congenital disease or is a deformed child.

4. There is a certain disease in the newborn and the disease has a high mortality or disability rate.