Positive end-expiratory pressure for resuscitation of newborn infants at birth.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Effective ventilation is the key to successful neonatal resuscitation. Positive pressure ventilation is initiated with manual ventilation devices which may or not deliver positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). PEEP is known to have beneficial effects in preterm animal models and its use is ubiquitous in mechanical ventilation in neonatal intensive care. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the use of PEEP during positive pressure ventilation at neonatal resuscitation reduces mortality or morbidity. SEARCH STRATEGY: The standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group was used. Pub Med (1966 to May 2004) was searched using the MeSH headings Infant, Newborn, Resuscitati..