Resuscitation of the Newborn: 16 mm., color, sound, showing time 25 minutes. Prepared by the Special Committee on Infant Mortality of the Medical Society of the County of New York. Produced in 1960 by Sturgis Grant Productions, New York. Procurable on loan from Smith, Kline & French Laboratories, Medical Film Center, 1500 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia 1.
"Resuscitation of the Newborn" is based on a report by the Infant Mortality Committee of the New York County Medical Society and illustrates the essential principles and techniques for resuscitation of infants who do not breathe or whose respiration is irregular at birth. The film describes the physiology of prenatal and postnatal oxygenation and states the factors that may contribute to producing respiratory depression in the newborn. The film then depictsthrough live action in the delivery room and animationthe procedures and apparatus necessary for effective resuscitation. By diagram the placental and neonatal circulation are clearly portrayed. The processes by which respiration is initiated and also depressed are well illustrated. The essentials of the examination during pregnancy are briefly touched upon. More emphasis is directed to good obstetrical care during labor with special observation as to what is happening to the infant to be born. The usual procedures for aspiration of nasopharyngeal fluids and stimulation of respirations in the normal neonate are given. The Apgar scoring system is demonstrated by which the circulatory, respiratory, and neurological status of the newborn infant can be evaluated. There is a good demonstration of the stimulation of respiration by sole-heel slapping as well as by laryngoscopic examination and aspiration.