Physiological responses to facemask application in newborns immediately after birth

Abstract

ObjectiveApplication of a face mask may induce apnoea and bradycardia, possibly via the trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR). We aimed to describe rates of apnoea and bradycardia in term and late-preterm infants following facemask application during neonatal stabilisation and compare the effects of first facemask application with subsequent applications.DesignSubgroup analysis of a prospective, randomised trial comparing two face masks.SettingSingle-centre study in the delivery roomPatientsInfants>34 weeks gestational age at birthMethodsResuscitations were video recorded. Airway flow and pressure were measured using a flow sensor. The effect of first and subsequent facemask applications on spontaneously breathing infants were noted. When available, flow waveforms as well as heart rate (HR) were assessed 20 s before and 30 s after each facemask application.ResultsIn total, 128 facemask applications were evaluated. In eleven percent of facemask applications infants stopped breathing. The first application was associated with a higher rate of apnoea than subsequent applications (29% vs 8%, OR (95% CI)=4.76 (1.41–16.67), p=0.012). On aggregate, there was no change in median HR over time. In the interventions associated with apnoea, HR dropped by 38bpm [median (IQR) at time of facemask application: 134bpm (134–150) vs 96bpm (94–102) 20 s after application; p=0.25] and recovered within 30 s.ConclusionsFacemask applications in term and late-preterm infants during neonatal stabilisation are associated with apnoea and this effect is more pronounced after the first compared with subsequent applications. Healthcare providers should be aware of the TCR and vigilant when applying a face mask to newborn infants.Trial registration numberACTRN12616000768493.