Knowing how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is an important skill that can save a life. In adults, CPR is critical in improving the chances for survival after a heart attack. Though cardiac arrest is uncommon in children and infants, CPR is vitally important if there is a sudden loss of oxygen due to choking, a near-drowning, a blockage or a respiratory infection.
However, performing CPR on children and infants is slightly different than on adults because they are smaller in size and have more fragile bones.
The Basic Method of Giving CPR is Similar in Babies, Children and Adults
The life-saving essentials of CPR: airway, breathing and circulation (ABC) are the same in CPR for adults, children and infants and are correctly given in this order. A child younger than one year is considered to be an infant, though a smaller toddler may also be treated as an infant during CPR. Chest compressions for infants are given using only two fingers and the chest is gently compressed about an inch.
Children include toddlers over the age of one, the heel of only one hand instead of both hands as in adult CPR, is used, and the chest is compressed to about one-third of its depth. In children and infants the number of chest compressions between breaths in each cycle is 30, which is the same number as in adults.
The First Two Steps of CPR are Checking the Airway and Breathing
First make sure the airway of the child or infant is cleared of any blockages. If there is an obstruction such as food or vomit in the mouth or throat, clear it by sweeping it with the finger. Be sure not to push the blockage further into the throat. Only about five seconds should be spent to check the airway for blockages because time is critically important if the child or infant is not breathing. If the airways are open and the child or infant is still no breathing, begin CPR immediately.
For the breathing stage of CPR, the airway should be opened by tilting the head slightly back so that the chin is pointed straight up. This is the mouth-to-mouth stage of CPR. For infants, place the mouth over both the infant’s mouth and nose and give two small breaths for one second each, ensuring that the infant’s chest rises with each breath. When giving a child mouth-to-mouth, first pinch the child’s nostrils closed and place the mouth over the child’s, then give two to five short breaths that cause the chest to rise.
Chest Compressions Are Necessary for Getting the Heart Beating and Circulation Started
The circulation stage involves the chest compressions that help to get the heart beating and blood circulating. For CPR in infants, place two fingers only on the breast bone or sternum in the center of the chest and just below the nipples.
Then compress the infant’s chest 30 times by gently pressing about one inch into the chest at a rate of two compressions per second. For CPR in children, use the heel of one hand and compress the chest to about one-third of the total depth at a rate of 30 compressions at two per second.
Continue CPR cycles until the baby or child begins to breathe or medical help arrives.
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Reference:
University of Washington: Learn CPR for Infants
Noreen Kassem - Noreen Kassem is a hospital doctor based in London, UK. She has extensive experience in clinical research and an undergraduate honors ...
