Funding outcome

Every year, 2 million newborns worldwide need cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) due to oxygen deprivation at birth, often leading to high rates of death or long-term brain injury. Current neonatal CPR techniques use a 3:1 compression-to-ventilation (C:V) ratio, meaning three chest compressions followed by one breath. However, during chest compressions, air is pushed out of the lungs, causing lung collapse, reduced oxygen delivery, and poor removal of carbon dioxide. This can limit the effectiveness of CPR. We are testing a new method called chest compression with synchronized ventilation (CCSV). This advanced technology, developed in Germany, delivers a breath with every chest compression to keep the lungs open and improve oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. While this technique has been tested in adult animals, it has never been studied in newborns. Using a well-established newborn piglet model that mimics human asphyxia at birth, we will compare CCSV to the standard 3:1 C:V method. Early results show that CCSV significantly reduces the time needed to restore the heart's normal function (return of spontaneous circulation, or ROSC), an important step in saving lives. Our study will provide critical evidence for improving CPR techniques in newborns, aligning with the Women and Children's Health Research Institute's goal to support innovative research and create a healthier future for children.