The Prevalence of Neonate Resuscitation and Some Related Factors in an Academic Center in the North of Iran

 The phenomena of transformation from the intrauterine environment to independent breathing proceeds successfully in 90% of newborns. However, timely resuscitation is crucial for the 10% remaining.

 We investigated the neonate resuscitation (NR) status, predisposing factors, and outcomes.

 This retrospective descriptive research was conducted at Al-Zahra hospital (Guilan-Iran) between April 2018 to March 2019. During the study period, all files of born neonates were reviewed, and relevant maternal and neonate information was extracted and analyzed.

 A total of 4,850 files were reviewed, and the data from 2,131 complete ones were analyzed. Among them, 14.1% needed resuscitation, 10.2% basic interventions, while 3.9% required advanced interventions. Neonate resuscitation outcome was significantly associated with gestational age (in less than 32 gestation weeks, 84.9% of neonates needed resuscitation) (P < 0.001), meconium staining of amniotic fluid (in 38.3% of cases whose amniotic fluid was stained with meconium, resuscitation was required) (P < 0.001), mode of delivery (in cesarean delivery, 18.7% of infants were resuscitated) (P < 0.001), birth weight (49.3% of infants weighing less than 2,500 grams needed resuscitation) (P < 0.001), multiple pregnancies (in multiple pregnancies, 66.1% resuscitation was needed (P < 0.001), Apgar score at minute 1 and 5 (in infants with an Apgar score below 7 in minute 1, 57.7% and in infants with an Apgar score below 7 in minute 5, 90.8% of neonates needed resuscitation) (P < 0.001).

 Screening pregnant women for early detection of high-risk cases and attendance of a skilled NR team at the time of delivery results in better outcomes.