The stomach of the newborn baby is often emptied soon after birth to prevent breathing problems (respiratory distress). Babies born with meconium-stained amniotic fluid and those with increased secretions associated with birth by C-section are thought to be at particular risk of breathing problems during the first minutes of life. Emptying the stomach by sucking out all its contents (gastric suctioning) is alleged to lessen the risk of aspiration and improve respiratory distress. This study will evaluate the usefulness of gastric suctioning during neonatal resuscitation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
173
The stomach will be suctioned shortly following birth with an orogastric tube
University of Iowa Children's Hospital
Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Respiratory Distress
Time frame: Birth
Apgar scores
Time frame: Birth
Successful feeding/weight gain
Time frame: Birth
Hospital length of stay
Time frame: Birth
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