Developmental considerations for resuscitation of the VLBW infant.
The survival rates for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants continue to increase while the morbidity rates show little improvement. Negative outcomes have been associated with hypoxia, hyperoxia, hypocarbia, barotrauma, intraventricular hemoRrhages, metabolic acidosis, cold stress, and overwhelming stimuli. Protection from iatrogenic harm must always be provided for the extremely fragile infant. Standards for resuscitation of the VLBW infant in the delivery room need to be expanded to reflect the physiologic and developmental care requirements. In this article, guidelines are proposed to address these needs.
Thigpen
Janet
J
Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Newborn Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. thig@mindspring.com
D003696:Delivery Rooms / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors