Question

A baby is born at 34 weeks' gestation. After the initial steps of resuscitation, the baby is not breathing (apneic). What are the next steps?

Answer 1

Answer:

The next step is to subject the newborn to positive pressure ventilation with 21-30% oxygen concentration.

Explanation:

Critical to the successful resuscitation of the 34-week-old newborn is adequate pulmonary ventilation, causing the newborn's lungs to inflate, thereby dilating the pulmonary vasculature and appropriate hematosis.

After the initial resuscitation steps, pulmonary ventilation is the simplest, most important and effective procedure for resuscitation of the newborn in the delivery room.

For the effective use of positive pressure ventilation it is necessary to understand which supplemental oxygen concentration to be used, how to control the oxygen supply, what equipment is available for its effective performance and which technique is recommended. For babies aged 34 weeks oxygen concentration around 21 - 30% is recommended.