Obstetrics (Neonatal resuscitation) Flashcards
What is the key to newborn resuscitation?
- effective ventilation
- the majority of newborns requiring resuscitation are apnoea and bradycardia due to ineffective ventilation
- priorities establishing and maintaining effective ventilation at each stage of resuscitation
What is the best indicator of effective ventilation?
- improvement of HR >100bpm
How quickly should ventilation be initiated for the management of the non-vigorous newborn?
60 seconds
At what rate should ventilations be delivered? and how do you know if they are effective?
- 40-60 per minute
- enough pressure to see the chest rise
When should you apply PEEP and how much?
- where appropriate equipment is available, apply PEEP (5cmH2O) whenever positive pressure ventilation is being provided
What should you do if the neonates HR remains between 60-100 bpm after 30 seconds of effective ventilation on room air?
- ensure adequate mask seal and airway position
- increase ventilation pressure
- where HR remains <100, 100% FiO2 oxygen (5L/min) should be administered
What do you do in regard to O2 if HR >100 and target sats are being met?
Wean O2 to avoid hyperoxaemia
What do you do if the HR <60 despite 30 seconds of effective ventilation?
- commence CPR with 100% oxygen
What are the indications for withholding resuscitation?
- <23 weeks gestation - as there is no possibility of successful resuscitation. Where there is any doubt as to the gestation of the newborn, paramedics should attempt resuscitation and consult with PIPER
- While resuscitative efforts may not be required it is a legal requirement in Victoria that any infant born >20 weeks gestation of >400g at birth OR showing signs of life regardless of gestation, be registered by a hospital, medical facility or midwife.
- There is no requirement that miscarriages <20 weeks gestation be reported to the coroner or police unless the loss of pregnancy has occurred due to violence or injury
How do you manage a neonates airway position?
The head and neck should be placed in a neutral position. Avoid flection and excessive head extension. This will likely require placing a folded towel or blanket underneath the shoulders
When is suctioning required in neonatal resus?
- only when the airway is obstrcuted
How do you suction a neonate?
- the mouth should be suctioned first, followed by the nose.
- the newborn is a nasal breathing and may gasp and inhale pharyngeal fluid if the nose is cleared first
- suction should be gentle, brief (5-6 seconds) and no deeper than the oropharynx (measured from the tragus to the corner of the mouth) to avoid laryngospasm and bradycardia
- a size 10 or 12 catheter with approx <100mmHg or ¼ the adult pressure of suction should be applied
- only apply suction as the catheter is being withdrawn;
When do you suction an intubated neonate?
if the newborn is intubated - only consider tracheal suction is a lower airway obstruction (meconium or blood) is suspected)
Can you use an OPA in a neonate?
- OPAs are not recommended as they may cause airway obstruction and vaguely mediated bradycardia
- a size 0 may be useful where airway abnormalities or the tongue impedes effective ventilation
How do you measure a neonates HR?
- by auscultation in the vigorous newborn (preferred method in preterm newborns <28 weeks)
- in the non-vigorous newborn ECG electrodes can be placed to guide resuscitation (be mindful electrodes can damage their skin)
How do you administer CPR to the newborn?
- 3:1 compression to ventilation
- achieve 90 compressions and 30 ventilations per minute with a 0.5 second pause for ventilation (120 events per minute)
- Compression depth should be approximately ⅓ depth of the chest
- the two thumb technique is preferred
- the two finger technique may be performed if access to the tibia for IO is required
Recite the newborn resuscitation CPG
What are normal values for a newborn baby?
What is a APGAR score and how is it scored?
