Management of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants in Delivery Room

Abstract

Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants are particularly vulnerable at birth, and stabilization in the delivery room (DR) remains challenging. After birth, ELBW infants are at high risk for the development of thermal dysregulation, respiratory insufficiency, and hemodynamic instability due to their immature physiology and anatomy. Although successful stabilization facilitates the transition and reduces acute morbidity, suboptimal care in the DR could cause long-term sequelae. This review addresses the challenges in stabilization in the DR and current neonatal resuscitation guidelines and recommendations.

Keywords: Infants; Neonatal resuscitation; Newborn; Very low birth weight infants.