The Importance of Compression-only CPR for Infants and Children

Reviving a child or an infant from cardiac arrest is one of the most challenging tasks. You not only need patience but also the proper technique for CPR. While CPR consists of chest compressions and rescue breaths, compression-only CPR also exists. In this form of CPR, you deliver only chest compressions to the infant. However, rescue breaths also have a significant role in the resuscitation of infants and children from cardiac arrest. This blog discusses how compression-only CPR and rescue breaths help a child or infant in cardiac arrest. You will also read about the challenges of delivering these two techniques to pediatric patients.

Role of Compression-only CPR for Pediatric Victims of Cardiac Arrest 

Compression-only CPR (COCPR) is a type of CPR that utilizes only chest compressions to revive the patient. This version is much simpler than traditional CPR and is convenient to administer. Infants and children have delicate lungs and do not need rescue breaths until necessary. Compression-only CPR is a crucial method to revive them from cardiac arrest. 

This technique does not use rescue breaths, so it poses no threat to the infant or child’s lungs. Compression-only CPR allows bystanders to approach an unconscious child for resuscitation. Even though the body of a baby or child is smaller than an adult, timely comparisons can help with the healthy circulation of blood. This CPR technique also prevents the brain from dying from a lack of oxygen and saves the child from life-long health issues.

Role of Rescue Breaths In CPR For Pediatric Victims of Cardiac Arrest

A child or infant can have cardiac arrest due to many reasons. As the respiratory passage of pediatric patients is still underdeveloped, insufficient oxygen is the primary cause of cardiac arrest. Hence, rescue breaths are vital in CPR for infants and children. During a cardiac arrest, the heart ceases to send oxygenated blood to every organ, including the lungs and eventually stops its movement. Rescue breaths are vital to ensure the entire body receives oxygen from the air.

As the heart stops the circulation of blood, it cannot remove excess carbon dioxide as well. Carbon dioxide is a by-product in the body that the heart collects and the lungs throw out. The unwanted buildup of carbon dioxide in the body can lead to poisoning or death. Rescue breaths also help remove this excess carbon dioxide and provide a fresh oxygen supply to the system.

Challenges in Delivering Chest Compressions and Rescue Breaths to Pediatric Patients

Both techniques have an equal role in reviving a cardiac arrest victim. But, they have the following limitations:

Chest Compressions: Children have weak bones and tender hearts and do not need firm compression. When delivering compressions to pediatric patients, rescuers should use the one-hand or two-finger method only, respectively. Pushing harder on a child’s chest will only result in broken ribs and other injuries. However, you must ensure that you deliver 100 compressions per minute for both infants and children.

Rescue Breaths: The lungs of a child or infant are smaller and more fragile than an adult’s. The bystander delivering rescue breaths must ensure to only gently deliver each breath. Another issue is that the airway in pediatric patients collapses easily. Its structure prevents it from staying open for long. The technique for delivering rescue breaths also differs in infants and children. For them, you must cover their mouth and nose while giving rescue breaths and only have their cheeks puff with air. Ensure to deliver compressions and rescue breaths in a ratio of 15:2 or 30:2. 

Conclusion

Administering compression-only CPR or rescue breaths largely depend on the cause of cardiac arrest. Pediatric drug overdose and drowning victims often require rescue breaths first. It helps to rule out carbon dioxide poisoning. However, some other injuries may require you to start with compression-only CPR. Timely administration of the required technique could help add more days to a young life.