Newborn Life Support Flashcards
Name ELEVEN risk factors associated with the mother, which may result in a need for neonatal rescusitation
- Premature / prolonged rupture of the membranes
- Bleeding in second or third trimester
- Severe pregnancy induced hypertension
- Chronic hypertension
- Substance abuse
- Diabetes
- Chronic illness
- Maternal infection
- Heavy / late sedation
- Previous fetal / neonatal death
- No antenatal care
Name TEN risk factors associated with the baby, which may result in a need for neonatal rescusitation
- Multiple gestation
- Preterm baby
- Postterm baby
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- Size-date discrepancy
- Rhesus isoimmunisation / hydrops
- Polyhydramnios / oligohydramnios
- Reduced fetal movement
- Congenital abnormalities
- Intrauterine infection
Name ELEVEN risk factors associated with birth, which may result in a need for neonatal rescusitation
- Fetal distress
- Abnormal presentation
- Prolapsed cord
- Prolonged rupture of membranes
- Prolonged labour / prolonged second stage
- Preceipitous labour
- Antepartum haemorrhage (abruption, placenta praevia)
- Thick meconium staiing
- Nonreassuring CTG
- Late sedation
- Instrumental delivery
Within how many seconds following birth do most mature babies breathe or cry?
90 seconds
Approximately what percentage of newborns require some degree of active resuscitation?
5-10%
What is the difference in cause between adult and neonatal resuscitation?
Adults are likely to be from cardiac arrest
Neonates/children are likely to be from respiratory problems
For approximately how many minutes can babies keep their heart going for on their own?
20 minutes or more
Can a baby’s brain withstand lack of oxygen, for longer or shorter than an adults?
Longer
Describe what happens to a neonate’s respiratory rate when it’s blood circulation is cut off and it does not have access to oxygen
Initially, the neonate will attempt rapid, irregular short gasping
Then primary apnoea will occur when no breaths occurs
Then it will attempt long, drawn out gasps
Finally, terminal apnoea will occur
Describe what happens to a neonate’s oxygen, carbon dioxide and excess acid levels when it’s blood circulation is cut off and it does not have access to oxygen
Oxygen levels will drop and then level off
Carbon dioxide and excess acid levels will steadily increase
Describe what happens to a neonate’s heart rate when it’s blood circulation is cut off and it does not have access to oxygen
It will initially rise to around 180 bpm during the rapid short breathing and then dramatically fall to around 60 bpm during primary apnoea.
A small rise will then occur to around 70 bpm during the long gasping but will then drop completely and stop once terminal apnoea has occured
Describe what happens to a neonate’s blood pressure when it’s blood circulation is cut off and it does not have access to oxygen
It will initially rise during the rapid short breathing and then dramatically fall during primary apnoea.
A small rise will then occur during the long gasping but will then drop completely and stop once terminal apnoea has occured
What FOUR things should be continually assessed during resuscitation of the neonate?
Colour
Tone
Heart rate
Breathing
What position should the baby’s head be in during resuscitation?
The baby’s face should be lying in a horizontal position, parallel to the floor
Describe how chest compressions of a baby should be
Either with two perpendicular fingers gently pushing straight down, placed in the centre of the chest, a width of a finger down from the nipples
OR
Holding the chest with both thumbs, taking care to only apply pressure with the tips of the thumbs and gently pushing down in the centre of the chest about a width of a finger down from the nipples
