Finger position for chest compressions in cardiac arrest in infants.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the recommended method of locating finger position for chest compression in infant cardiac arrest can cause pressure on the abdomen or xiphisternum.


METHODS
The length from the inter-nipple line to the xiphisternum was calculated in 30 infants. These lengths were compared with the finger position achieved by 30 adults, using the recommended method, on templates of infant chests.


RESULTS
The mean infant lower sternal length was 2.3 cm (95% CI 1.6). The mean distance covered by the adults fingers was 4.4 cm (95% CI 0.9).


CONCLUSIONS
If any infant in this study had chest compressions performed by any of the adults, using the recommended method, pressure would be exerted on the xiphisternum or abdomen. We suggest changing the method of locating finger position, to one using sternal anatomy.
Clements
F
F
Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow, UK.
McGowan
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013249:Sternum / Q000033:anatomy & histology*