Endotracheal intubation of the neonate

Endotracheal intubation in the newborn may be a lifesaving procedure, a especially in cases of meconium aspiration and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. All equipment for performing intubation should be available in the delivery area. The most common and potentially serious error is leaving the endotracheal tube in the wrong position. Auscultation of the chest and abdomen must be performed and a chest x-ray obtained to document the location of the tube.