Air entry in infant resuscitation: oral or nasal routes?.
Wilson-Davis, S. L., S. L. Tonkin, T. R. Gunn.
Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland and Cot Death
Association, National Child Health Research Foundation
APStracts 3:0417A, 1996.
The current recommendation for resuscitation of infants is to blow air
into both the nose and mouth. We have observed that mothers cannot
cover both the nose and mouth of their infants. At post mortem we
compared tracheal and esophageal air entry using the nose, combined
nose and mouth, and mouth routes in 8 infants. Air entry into the
trachea occurred at lower pressures (p<0.05) via a nose mask
than via a combined nose and mouth mask or via a mouth mask. Air
entry into the trachea occurred at lower pressures (p<0.05) via
the nose route in the neutral and extended neck positions compared to
the flexed position. We were unable to demonstrate an effect of the
route of air entry on esophageal air entry. The findings indicate
that the nasal route of air entry is more effective than the combined
nose and mouth or mouth routes and that neck flexion impedes air
entry. We recommend that parents are taught to blow air into their
infants' noses if breathing stops.
Received 6 November 1995; accepted in final form 15 August 1996.
APS Manuscript Number A1172-5.
Article publication pending Journal of Applied Physiology.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 19 September 1996