CPR - infant
Key points
- CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is performed when an infant's breathing or heartbeat has stopped, as in cases of drowning, suffocation, choking, or injuries.
- CPR can be lifesaving, but it is best performed by those who have been trained in an accredited CPR course.
- In infants, major reasons that heartbeat and breathing stop include drowning, suffocation, choking, head trauma or serious injury, excessive bleeding, electrical shock, poisoning, and lung disease.
- The following steps are based on instructions from the American Heart Association.
Alternative names
Rescue breathing and chest compressions - infant; Resuscitation - cardiopulmonary - infant; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation - infant
Definition
CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is performed when an infant's breathing or heartbeat has stopped, as in cases of drowning, suffocation, choking, or injuries. CPR is a combination of:
- Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to the infant's lungs
- Chest compressions, which keep the infant's blood circulating.
Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if a infant's blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue these procedures until the infant's heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrives.
Considerations
CPR can be lifesaving, but it is best performed by those who have been trained in an accredited CPR course. The procedures described here are not a substitute for CPR training.
All parents and those who take care of children should learn infant and child CPR if they haven't already. This jewel of knowledge is something no parent should be without. (See www.americanheart.org for classes near you.)
Time is very important when dealing with an unconscious infant who is not breathing. Permanent brain damage begins after only 4 minutes without oxygen, and death can occur in as little as 4 to 6 minutes later.
Causes
In infants, major reasons that heartbeat and breathing stop include drowning, suffocation, choking, head trauma or serious injury, excessive bleeding, electrical shock, poisoning, and lung disease.
Symptoms
- Unconsciousness
- No breathing
- No pulse
First Aid
The following steps are based on instructions from the American Heart Association.
1. Check for responsiveness. Shake or tap the infant gently. See if the infant moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you OK?"
2. If there is no response, shout for help. Send someone to call 911. Do not leave the infant yourself to call 911 until you have given about one minute of CPR.
3. Carefully place the infant on his or her back. If there is a chance the infant has a spinal injury, two people are needed to move the infant without twisting the head and neck.
4. Open the airway. Lift up the chin with one hand. At the same time, push down on the forehead with the other hand.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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