Oxygen Saturation and Heart Rate Ranges in Very Preterm Infants Requiring Respiratory Support at Birth.

Objective: To evaluate the changes in preductal oxygen saturation (SpO) and heart rate in preterm infants receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and/or positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) at birth.

Study Design: A prospective observational study at birth of infants aged <32 weeks separated into 2 gestational age (GA) groups: 23-27 weeks (group 1) and 28-31 weeks (group 2). Infants received delayed cord clamping (DCC) in accordance with institutional protocol.

Heart Rate Assessment Immediately after Birth.

Background: Heart rate assessment immediately after birth in newborn infants is critical to the correct guidance of resuscitation efforts. There are disagreements as to the best method to measure heart rate.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess different methods of heart rate assessment in newborn infants at birth to determine the fastest and most accurate method.