[Intensive care therapy of newborn infants (author's transl)]

Abstract

Intensive care of newborn babies consists of immediate resuscitation during the very first minutes after birth, intensive management during the transportation and treatment at the intensive care unit. The importance of immediate resuscitation for the following therapeutic management is stressed. The modern system of correct and well-organized transport for newborn babies is also described. As to the diagnostic and therapeutic management in the intensive care unit, attention is called to the fact that it does not consist only of artificial respiration; in particular, temperature, blood glucose concentration, blood gas analysis and all vital functions must be constantly controlled. The importance of exact dosage of the administered oxygen during the intensive care of newborn babies is demonstrated. The indications, practical management and complications of artificial respiration are detailed. Finally, the good results which can be achieved in this field, with a significant reduction in mortality of artificially-respirated infants, are shown by the present investigation. Good organization, modern technical equipment and, especially, well-trained staff are indispensable foundations for the successful management of newborn infants requiring intensive care.