What should be monitored and adjusted during ventilation and oxygen therapy in newborns?

Monitoring and adjusting oxygen concentration and blood gases during ventilation and oxygen therapy in newborns is crucial for ensuring effective and safe resuscitation. Oxygen concentration must be carefully controlled to provide the necessary amount of oxygen to the newborn without causing oxygen toxicity, while blood gases, including arterial blood gases (ABGs), provide vital information about the newborn's respiratory function, acid-base balance, and overall metabolic state.

By analyzing blood gases, healthcare providers can evaluate the effectiveness of ventilation strategies and make real-time adjustments if the newborn is not achieving adequate oxygenation or if there's a change in carbon dioxide levels. This adjustment helps optimize the infant's condition and reduce the risk of complications that could arise from inadequate or excessive oxygen therapy.

Monitoring body temperature is important, but it does not directly pertain to ventilation and oxygen therapy. Similarly, heart rate, while an important vital sign, does not give a comprehensive picture of the respiratory effectiveness nor indicate the efficacy of the oxygen concentration being provided. Fluid intake is also essential in overall neonatal care, but it is not the focus during mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy.