[Obstetric anesthesia: from basics to recent advances in neontatal resuscitation: from Apgar score to NCPR program]

Attempt to resuscitate asphyxiated neonates dates back to 1940's described in the Japanese obstetric textbook. These resuscitation methods simply employed moving the chest by applying external forces, such as bending the torso or flipping over the baby's body. In 1953, Virginia Apgar, an obstetric anesthesiologist, proposed her score to assess newborn status, which has been used worldwide thereafter. American Academy of Pediatrics and American Heart Association developed neonatal resuscitation guidelines in 1980's, the most recent guideline having been issued in 2005. The Japanese Society of Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine modified this guideline and started training courses for neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (NCPR). Many resuscitation skills and medications are familiar to anesthesiologists, and many anesthesiologists are expected to be certified in NCPR in the future. Guideline is to be revised on regular basis, as the scientific and clinical evidence accumulates, and the next one will likely recommend reduced FI(O2) during resuscitation.