Final answer:
Newborn resuscitation typically is needed due to asphyxia, congenital anomalies, or preterm birth complications. Unlike adults, newborns may suffer cardiac arrest due to unique physiological conditions like severe contractions or intrauterine growth restriction leading to placental insufficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Unlike adults who experience cardiac arrest due to trauma or heart disease, newborn resuscitation is usually the result of asphyxia, congenital anomalies, or complications related to preterm birth. Cardiac arrest in newborns can result from severe contractions interrupting oxygenated blood flow to the fetus, possibly necessitating an emergency birth via vacuum, forceps, or Caesarian section. Additionally, inadequate fetal growth, referred to as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), is predominantly caused by placental insufficiency, which can also contribute to neonatal cardiac difficulties.
Fetal circulation differs significantly from postnatal circulation, as fetal hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen, enabling it to more effectively bind oxygen from the mother's blood in the placenta. Given that newborns, especially those with low birth weight or those born prematurely, have an underdeveloped nervous system and respiratory system, they are at a higher risk of requiring resuscitation immediately after birth. Newborn resuscitation procedures may differ from those for adults, as addressing the unique physiological conditions leading to cardiac distress is crucial in neonates.