NEONATAL RESUSCITATION

Background: The key to success in newborn resuscitation is theknowledge about the neonatal physiology and adequate preparation of the staff involved in the resuscitation process.The pulmonary part of the resuscitation can be accomplished with either Endotracheal Tube (ETT) or Face Mask (FM),both of these techniques require expertise and are associated with high rates of failure. Hence a third potential optionhas been suggested to overcome these problems. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of Laryngeal Mask Airway(LMA) in neonatal resuscitation and artificial ventilation and to compare it with that of ETT and FM. To evaluate LMA’sefficiency in situation where endotracheal intubation and facemask ventilation is difficult or not possible. Design: A Noninterventional, analytical / comparative study Setting: Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Period: 20 weeks (1stJanuary 2002 to 31 May 2002). Subjects: A group of 75 neonates born with C-Section were selected on the basis ofnon-probability convenience sampling. They were subdivided into three sub gps with 25 neonates in each sub gp.Interventions; 75 neonates born after C-Section, were divided into sub gps i.e. A, B, and C containing a no of 25neonates in each gp. They were ventilated with ETT, FM and LMA respectively. These newborn babies had an Apgarscore < 4. They were resuscitated using a fix protocol. The efficacy of ventilation with either technique was evaluatedin terms of placement and ventilation. Results: The LMA emerged, as a valuable and better option in newbornresuscitation. Moreover, it was a successful tool in situations where endotracheal intubation and facemask ventilationwas difficult or impossible. Conclusion: The LMA is a potential valuable adjunct for the management of neonatalairway.