Elsevier

The Journal of Pediatrics

Volume 37, Issue 3, September 1950, Pages 311-319
The Journal of Pediatrics

Original communication
Resuscitation of the newborn infant: Use of the positive pressure oxygen-air lock*

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Summary

  • 1.

    Infants may be oxygenated quickly and respirations stimulated under an increase of total oxygen and carbon dioxide diffusion pressures.

  • 2.

    The absorption of oxygen through the skin and upper-respiratory tract is a most important mechanism for the initial onset of respiration. Varying of pressure aids in this mechanism.

  • 3.

    Oxygen appears at this time to be the one gas necessary for the prompt stimulation of the respiratory center.

  • 4.

    The diffusion of oxygen in the plasma and its use by the tissue cells of the premature infant is favored by pressure in a considerable number of premature infants. In 12 per cent of the premature infants processed by positive pressure it appears that positive pressure is the only mechanism enabling the premature infant to get by the respiratory block seen developing early in life.

  • 5.

    The expansion of gases expels fluids and secretions from the upper-respiratory tract in approximately one of five asphyxiated newborn infants.

  • 6.

    Total positive pressures employed by the mother in labor and used in this study subjects the infant to no danger and may be continued for long periods.

  • 7.

    The placing of an infant in a positive pressure oxygen air lock for resuscitation eliminates the possibility of danger from perforation of the lungs and intestines seen in a few attempts with vigorous manual resuscitation.

  • 8.

    The tracheal catheter from this study and other studies indicates that it is an instrument fraught with danger and its use should be discontinued.

  • 9.

    The mortality rate in a large maternity hospital has been lowered approximately 25 per cent from a slight reduction in the premature delivery rate and the use of the positive pressure oxygen air lock in resuscitating asphyxiated newborn infants.

References (8)

  • BloxsomAllan

    The Difficulty in Beginning Respiration Seen in Infants Delivered by Cesarean Section

    J. Pediat.

    (1942)
  • BestCharles Herbert et al.

    The Physiological Basis of Medical Practice

  • BarachAlvan L.

    Continuous Immobilization of the Lungs by Residence in the Equalizing Pressure Chamber in the Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

    Dis. Chest

    (1946)
  • HendersonYandell

    The Prevention and Treatment of Asphyxia in the Newborn

    J. A. M. A.

    (1928)
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

*

Read before the Pediatric Postgraduate Course of the Department of Pediatrics, Baylor University College of Medicine, and The Texas State Department of Health, Houston, Texas, April 21, 1950.

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