The importance of ventilation to effective resuscitation in the term and preterm infant

Although resuscitation at birth often has a successful outcome, there is very little data available on the optimal method. Face mask/bag resuscitation is relatively ineffective, rarely producing adequate alveolar ventilation before lung expansion has occurred, probably depending on the Head's Paradoxical Reflex to stimulate inspiratory efforts The T-piece/face mask technique is easier to use and more effective as the inflation pressure can be maintained for longer. Standard T-piece/endotracheal tube resuscitation produces inflation volumes of less than half of those generated by spontaneously breathing infants, and the functional residual capacity is not formed for several breaths. This can be overcome by maintaining the first inflation for 3 s. More studies are urgently required in very preterm infants as these are particularly vulnerable to volutrauma immediately after delivery.