Pediatrics

Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics

Re: Routine Suctioning

On the third page it states that there is evidence that suctioning of the nasopharynx can create bradycardia during resuscitation (21,22) and that suctioning of the trachea in intubated babies receiving mechanical ventilation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be associated with deterioration of pulmonary compliance and oxygenation and reduction in cerebral blood flow velocity when performed routinely (ie, in the absence of obvious nasal or oral secretions). 23,24

However, there is also evidence that suctioning in the presence of secretions can decrease respiratory resistance. 25

Therefore it is recommended that suctioning immediately following birth (including suctioning with a bulb syringe) should be reserved for babies who have obvious obstruction to spontaneous breathing or who require positive-pressure ventilation (PPV)

Click Here to view the Special Report–Neonatal Resuscitation: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care