Low O2 and Neonatal Resuscitation

Source: Reuters

Premature babies (low gestational age neonates) are subject to less stress, inflammation and chronic lung disease when 30% oxygen is used instead of 90% oxygen during resuscitation.  This according to researchers from University Hospital La Fe, Valencia (yes, like the oranges), Spain.

You’d think more oxygen would be better, right? Wrong.  The air you are currently breathing, in the room you are in, is comprised of approximately 20% oxygen.  Little and underdeveloped lungs are not exactly equipped to handle significantly more than that.

Hyperoxia (literally too much oxygen) can cause “oxygen toxicity” similar to that deep sea divers may experience.  symptoms may include disorientation, breathing problems, and vision changes some or all of which may be permanent.

Okay then,  now you know.

posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esquire