CPR - infant

Definition

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when a baby's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after drowning, suffocation, choking, or other injuries. CPR involves:

  • Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to the lungs.
  • Chest compressions, which keep the blood flowing.

Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if a baby's blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue these procedures until the infant's heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrives.

Alternative Names

Rescue breathing and chest compressions - infant; Resuscitation - cardiopulmonary - infant; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation - infant

Considerations

CPR is best done by someone trained in an accredited CPR course. The newest techniques emphasize compression over rescue breathing and airway, reversing long-standing practice.

All parents and those who take care of children should learn infant and child CPR. See cpr.heart.org/en/course-catalog-search for classes near you. The procedures described here are NOT a substitute for CPR training.

Time is very important when dealing with an unconscious baby who is not breathing. Permanent brain damage begins after only 4 minutes without oxygen, and death can occur as soon as 4 to 6 minutes later.

Machines called automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be found in many public places, and are available for home use. These machines have pads or paddles to place on the chest during a life-threatening emergency. They automatically check the heart rhythm and give a sudden shock if, and only if, that shock is needed to get the heart back into the right rhythm. Make sure the AED can be used on infants. When using an AED, follow the instructions exactly.

Causes

There are many things that cause an infant's heartbeat and breathing to stop. Some reasons you may need to do CPR on an infant include:

  • Choking
  • Drowning
  • Electrical shock
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Head trauma or other serious injury
  • Lung disease
  • Poisoning
  • Suffocation

Symptoms

CPR should be done if the infant has the following symptoms:

First Aid

1.Check for alertness. Tap the bottom of the infant's foot. See if the infant moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you OK"? Never shake an infant.

2. If there is no response, shout for help. Tell someone to call 911 or the local emergency number and get an AED, if available. Do not leave the infant yourself to call 911 or the local emergency number until you have done CPR for about 2 minutes.

3. Carefully place the infant on its back. If there is a chance the infant has a spinal injury, two people should move the infant to prevent the head and neck from twisting.

4. Perform chest compressions:

  • Place 2 fingers on the breastbone, just below the nipples. Make sure not to press at the very end of the breastbone.
  • Keep your other hand on the infant's forehead, keeping the head tilted back.
  • Press down on the infant's chest so that it compresses about one third to one half the depth of the chest.
  • Give 30 chest compressions. Each time, let the chest rise completely. These compressions should be FAST and hard with no pausing. Count the 30 compressions quickly: ("1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30, off.")
  • Rescuers, especially those who are trained in CPR, may also perform chest compressions by the 'two-thumb encircling hands technique.' To do this, encircle the infant's chest with both hands, and compress the chest with both thumbs about one third to one half the depth of the chest.

5. Open the airway. Lift up the chin with one hand. At the same time, tilt the head by pushing down on the forehead with the other hand.

6. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Place your ear close to the infant's mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek.

7. If the infant is not breathing:

  • Cover the infant's mouth and nose tightly with your mouth.
  • Or, cover just the nose with your mouth. Hold the infant's mouth shut.
  • Keep the chin lifted and head tilted.
  • Give 2 rescue breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise.

8. After about 2 minutes of CPR, if the infant still does not have normal breathing, coughing, or any movement, leave the infant if you are alone and call 911 or the local emergency number. If an AED for children is available, use it now.

9. Repeat rescue breathing and chest compressions until the infant recovers or help arrives. Infants and children undergoing CPR should receive two breaths after every 30 chest compressions if there is a single rescuer. If there are two rescuers, the child should receive the two breaths after every 15 chest compressions.

Keep rechecking for breathing until help arrives.

Do Not

Avoid making the situation worse by following these tips:

  • DO NOT lift the infant's chin while tilting the head back to move the tongue away from the windpipe. If you think the baby has a spinal injury, pull the jaw forward without moving the head or neck. DO NOT let the mouth close.
  • If the infant has normal breathing, coughing, or movement, DO NOT begin chest compressions. Doing so may cause the heart to stop beating.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Steps to take if you are with another person or if you are alone with an infant:

  • If you have help, tell one person to call 911 or the local emergency number while another person begins CPR.
  • If you are alone, shout loudly for help and begin CPR. After doing CPR for about 2 minutes, if no help has arrived, call 911 or the local emergency number. You may carry the infant with you to the nearest phone (unless you suspect a spinal injury).

Prevention

Most children need CPR because of a preventable accident. The following tips may help prevent some accidents in children:

  • Never underestimate what an infant can do. Assume the baby can move more than you think.
  • Never leave an infant unattended on a bed, table, or other surface from which the infant could roll off.
  • Always use safety straps on high chairs and strollers. Never leave an infant in a mesh playpen with one side down. Follow the guidelines for using infant car seats.
  • Teach your baby the meaning of "don't touch". The earliest safety lesson is "No!"
  • Choose age-appropriate toys. Do not give infants toys that are heavy or fragile. Inspect toys for small or loose parts, sharp edges, points, loose batteries, and other hazards.
  • Create a safe environment. Watch children carefully, particularly around water and near furniture.
  • Keep toxic chemicals and cleaning solutions safely stored in childproof cabinets in their original containers with labels attached.
  • To reduce the risk for choking accidents, make sure infants and small children cannot reach buttons, watch batteries, popcorn, coins, grapes, or nuts.
  • Sit with an infant while they eat. Do not allow an infant to crawl around while eating or drinking from a bottle.
  • Never tie pacifiers, jewelry, chains, bracelets, or anything else around an infant's neck or wrists.

References

American Heart Association website. Highlights of the 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and ECC. cpr.heart.org/-/media/cpr-files/cpr-guidelines-files/highlights/hghlghts_2020_ecc_guidelines_english.pdf. Accessed February 13, 2023.

Duff JP, Topjian A, Berg MD, et al. 2019 American Heart Association focused update on pediatric advanced life support: an update to the American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Pediatrics. 2020;145(1). PMID: 31727861 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31727861/.

Easter JS. Pediatric resuscitation. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 158.

Kearney RD. Neonatal resuscitation. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 159.

Rose E. Pediatric upper airway obstruction and infections. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 162.

Topjian AA, Raymond TT, Atkins D, et al; Pediatric basic and advanced life support collaborators. Part 4: pediatric basic and advanced life support: 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Circulation. 2020;142(16_suppl_2):S469-S523. PMID: 33081526 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33081526/.

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Review Date: 1/2/2023
Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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