Endotracheal intubation attempts during neonatal resuscitation: Success rates, duration, and adverse effects

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. Endotracheal intubation of newborn infants is a mandatory competence for many pediatric trainees. The Neonatal Resuscitation Program recommends a 20-second limit for intubation attempts. Intubation attempts by junior doctors are frequently unsuccessful, and many infants are intubated between 20 and 30 seconds without apparent adverse effect. Little is known about the proficiency of more senior medical staff, the time taken to determine endotracheal tube (ETT) position, or the effects of attempted intubation on infants' heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the delivery room (DR). The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the success rates and duration of intubat..