Final answer:
Newborn resuscitation typically addresses respiratory failure due to RDS, especially in premature infants lacking sufficient pulmonary surfactant. Upon birth, interventions such as mechanical ventilation and surfactant therapy are often necessary when spontaneous breathing does not occur, improving the survival rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Newborn resuscitation is often a response to respiratory failure that can occur before or just after birth, which is usually true. One common cause of respiratory failure in newborns is Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). This condition primarily affects premature infants due to insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant, a substance essential for lung inflation. Without enough surfactant, the lungs can't inflate properly, leading to difficulty breathing (dyspnea), low oxygen levels, and high carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
During birth, several physiological changes promote the newborn's first breath. The compression of the fetal thoracic cavity as the fetus is pushed through the birth canal expels amniotic fluid from the lungs, preparing them for air breathing. Immediately after birth, intubation and artificial ventilation might be necessary if the infant doesn't breathe independently. Treatment for RDS may include mechanical ventilation, the application of CPAP, and the administration of pulmonary surfactant. These treatments, along with supportive therapies, have significantly reduced the mortality rate of infants with RDS.