Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the term used to describe a series of assessments and interventions in which oxygen is manually delivered and heartbeat is manually restored in individuals who have stopped breathing and/or have no heartbeat. Infant CPR should be used in babies less than 12 months of age.
CPR is administered when an infant has stopped breathing and has no discernible heartbeat. Reasons for this may include:
Complications during CPR depend on the cause of the cardiopulmonary failure. Greater risk is involved if CPR is not administered correctly.
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Check for unresponsiveness and breathing. If the infant is not breathing:
- If someone is with you, have them call 911 immediately.
- If you are alone, perform CPR for at least 1 to 2 minutes (5 cycles) before dialing 911.
During CPR, a trained individual administers mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by blowing air directly into the patient's mouth. The chest is pressed in a regular rhythm to help restore heartbeat.
Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compression are to be alternated as indicated below.
- Open the airway by gently tilting the head backward.
- Pinch the patient's nose and cover his mouth with yours.
- Breathe twice into his mouth; until you see the chest rise. Breaths should be about one second each.
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Administer chest compressions.
- Place two fingers on the center of the chest just below the nipple line.
- Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the chest.
- Allow the chest to rise completely in between compressions.
- Minimize interruption between compressions.
- After 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths.
- Continue cycle of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until help arrives.
If you have not called 911, do so after 1 to 2 minutes of CPR (about 5 cycles).
If the infant has a restored heartbeat and is breathing, he should be taken to the hospital.
Emergency personnel will take over care of the patient when they arrive.
The length of time for CPR depends on the underlying causes and availability of advanced medical care.
Because CPR is administered when the patient is unconscious, the procedure does not hurt. However, some patients may complain of soreness in the chest after regaining consciousness.
In frail infants, it is possible that ribs may fracture or break during chest compressions.
This depends on the reason for cardiopulmonary failure and the effectiveness of CPR.
Patients will need to be taken to the hospital for evaluation following CPR.
Prognosis is dependent on the initial cause of arrest, how soon was the CPR was initiated, and whether it was administered correctly. Many patients are unable to regain normal heartbeat after it has stopped.
You should always call 911 if CPR needs to be administered, even if the patient begins breathing normally again and heartbeat is restored.
Last reviewed January 2008 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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