Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a series of steps to help a person who has stopped breathing and has no heartbeat. CPR manually delivers oxygen to the lungs and temporarily restores the heartbeat. Infant CPR should be used in babies less than 12 months of age.
CPR is given when an infant has stopped breathing and has no heartbeat. Reasons for this may include:
The outcome will depend on the initial cause and how soon effective CPR was initiated. Many victims are unable to regain a normal heartbeat after it has stopped.
In frail infants, it is possible that ribs may fracture or break during chest compressions.
Greater risk is involved if CPR is delayed or not done correctly.
Check for unresponsiveness and breathing. If the infant is unresponsive, follow these three steps:
If you have not called 911, do so after 1-2 minutes of CPR (about 5 cycles). Call even if the infant has regained consciousness and is breathing on his own.
Continue cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until help arrives or the infant responds.
The length of time for CPR depends on the underlying causes and response time of medical help.
The victim is unconscious when CPR is given. The procedure does not hurt. There may be some soreness in the chest after regaining consciousness.
The emergency team will take over care when they arrive.
The victim will need to be taken to the hospital for evaluation following CPR.
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Caring for Kids
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
References:
American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org.
American Heart Association. Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association; 2006
American Red Cross website. Available at: http://www.redcross.org.
Finer NN, Horbar JD, Carpenter JH. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the very low birth weight infant: the Vermont Oxford Network Experience. Pediatrics . 1999;104(3):428-434. Available at http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/104/3/428. Accessed February 27, 2007.
Otero L. What's new in neonatal resuscitation. Duval County Medical Society website. Available at http://www.dcmsonline.org/jax-medicine/2001journals/dec2001/resuscitation.htm. Accessed February 27, 2007.
Topjian AA, Berg RA, Nadkarni VM.Pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation: advances in science, techniques, and outcomes. Pediatrics. 2008 Nov;122(5):1086-98. Review.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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