Starting newborn resuscitation with room air may save newborn lives

Between 5% and 10% of all newborns need some resuscitation. In general, 100% oxygen has been recommended for resuscitating newborns with asphyxia. However, some studies suggest that a high blood concentration of oxygen in the newborn may increase the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. A Cochrane review sought to determine whether in newborn infants requiring resuscitation the use of room air reduced the incidence of death or neurological disability compared with the use of 100% oxygen. In her new RHL commentary on this review, Cynthia Pileggi reports that starting newborn resuscitation with room air is associated with a reduction in infant mortality compared with resuscitation with 100% oxygen, and resuscitation with room air is not associated with any adverse effects. However, it is recommended that 100% oxygen should be available as a back up in case of failure of initial resuscitation with room air.

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UNDP/UNFPA/ WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction
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WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research
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World Health Organization

The Cochrane Collaboration