Updated Guidelines for Neonatal and Pediatric Resuscitation

The updates reaffirm recommendations on several aspects of cardiac arrest management and post-resuscitation care across the pediatric age spectrum.

Sponsoring Organization: American Heart Association (AHA)

Background and Objective

Instead of en bloc revisions, the AHA now releases focused updates when new evidence meaningfully adds to existing guidelines on resuscitation and emergency care. A group of three updates address neonatal resuscitation, pediatric basic life support, and pediatric advanced life support recommendations.

Key Points

Emergency dispatch centers should offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructions to callers when bystander CPR is not already in progress (new recommendation).
In newborns ≥35 weeks gestation needing respiratory support after birth, initial use of room air is reasonable; 100% oxygen use is associated with increased mortality (extension of prior rec…

Reviewing Author

Jason T. McMullan, MD, MS, FAEMS

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardEMCREG International

Grant/Research SupportNIH; Department of Defense

Editorial BoardsJournal of Emergency Medical Services

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Association of EMS Physicians (Chair, Research Committee)