Resuscitation of newborn infants occurs in approximately 10% of the more than 100 million infants
born annually worldwide. The techniques used during resuscitation, such as positive-pressure
ventilation and supplemental oxygen, may revive many infants, but have the potential to harm their
lungs. In recent years increasing attention has been applied to providing lung protection from the
first breath. This paper reviews the currently available medical evidence concerning modifying
aspects of delivery room management that are thought to mitigate lung injury. These include:
FIO2 < 1.0; early use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and PEEP; optimizing pressure
and/or volume during ventilation; sustained inflations; need for and timing of surfactant therapy;
and airway management of meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Although the evidence against 100%
oxygen use is of low quality, it has been enough to alter the recommendations for oxygen use in the
delivery room. It is suggested (not mandated) to use room air initially when resuscitating a termgestation
infant, and to use FIO2 < 1.0 in premature infants, with FIO2 adjustments depending on
oximetry values. Recent studies have not indicated better outcomes in premature infants in whom
CPAP or PEEP is applied in the delivery room. Optimal peak ventilatory pressure and tidal volume
have yet to be delineated. Although an intriguing therapy, sustained inflations have not been shown
to markedly improve outcomes. Prophylactic use of surfactant in small, premature infants remains
the accepted standard. Immediate placement on CPAP after surfactant instillation has yet to
demonstrate clear-cut advantages. Finally, intrapartum oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal suctioning
of meconium-stained amniotic fluid does not improve outcomes in meconium-stained infants.
Moreover, routine intubation and intratracheal suctioning of apparently vigorous meconiumstained
infants do not improve outcomes. In summary, although multiple therapies are touted as
protecting the lungs in the delivery room “from the first breath,” to date there are scant supportive
data. Key words: neonatal; newborn; infant; premature; resuscitation; mechanical ventilation; supplemental
oxygen; FIO2
; continuous; positive; airway; pressure; CPAP; PEEP; surfactant; meconium aspiration;
sustained inflations; surfactant. [Respir Care 2011;56(9):1360 –1367. © 2011 Daedalus Enter