STABLE
What's does the acronym STABLE stand for?
Sugar
Temperature
Airway
Blood Pressure
Labs
Emotional Support
What is the recommended ratio of compressions to ventilations in newborn resuscitation?
3 compressions - 1 breath
(1-2-3, breathe)
What age range (in weeks) is considered very preterm?
between 28-32 weeks.
What is the recommended initial intervention for asymptomatic hypoglycemia in a stable newborn?
Early feeding and/or oral dextrose gel
What are some methods to prevent heat loss during resuscitation of a preterm infant?
Plastic bag
Heated gel mattress
Preheated radiant warmer
Hat
What are some cues that may signal a baby's readiness to feed?
Turning head side to side (rooting)
Opening mouth, sticking out tongue
Smacking or licking lips
Sucking on hands, fingers, or fists
Light fussing, squirming
What clinical signs suggest poor perfusion despite normal blood pressure?
Poor cap refill, cool extremities, decreased urine output
What is the recommended initial oxygen concentration (FiO2) for term newborns requiring resuscitation?
21-30%
When do a newborn's fontanelle's close?
The smaller rear fontanelle typically closes within 1 to 2 months of birth.
The larger front fontanelle closes later, usually between 7-18 months of age.
In a newborn, which expiratory breath sound often indicates respiratory distress and may require urgent intervention?
Grunting - often a sign of alveolar collapse
Which ventilator setting helps keep alveoli open at the end of exhalation, improving oxygenation and preventing atelectasis in infants?
Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
What is the most common cause of retinopathy of prematurity?
Immature retina + prolonged/poorly controlled oxygen exposure (especially hyperoxia, then relative hypoxia).
What blood gas abnormality may indicate perinatal asphyxia?
Metabolic acidosis
Hypoxia → anaerobic metabolism → lactic acid buildup → ↓pH
What does the mnemonic MR SOPA stand for, and what is its primary purpose during newborn resuscitation?
It helps troubleshoot ineffective ventilation.
MR SOPA stands for:
M – Mask adjustment
R – Reposition airway
S – Suction mouth and nose
O – Open mouth
P – Pressure increase (adjust PIP)
A – Alternative airway (consider intubation or laryngeal mask)
Why does nasal CPAP improve oxygenation even when FiO₂ remains unchanged?
It keeps residual air in the lungs between breaths, which helps keep the alveoli open so they don’t collapse.