At what heart rate should CPAP be considered in the delivery room?

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) should be considered in the delivery room when the heart rate is less than 100 beats per minute (bpm). This is important because a heart rate below this threshold indicates that the newborn may be experiencing significant respiratory distress or inadequate oxygenation. In such cases, CPAP can help keep the alveoli open, improve oxygenation, and support the infant's breathing efforts.

Appropriately, when the heart rate is below 100 bpm, there is a greater risk of hypoxemia and other complications, making it crucial to intervene with CPAP to facilitate easier breathing and assist in stabilizing the infant. This aligns with the principles of neonatal resuscitation, where the focus is on quickly addressing any signs of respiratory failure or compromised circulation right after birth.

The other heart rate ranges or contexts would not necessitate CPAP as a first-line intervention. For instance, if the heart rate is over 120 bpm, this indicates that the newborn could be adequately transitioning and may not need immediate respiratory support like CPAP. Likewise, a heart rate between 100-120 bpm could suggest that the infant is stable enough to monitor without urgent intervention. Lastly, stating that CPAP is always used after resuscitation does