At what depth should chest compressions be delivered in a newborn?

In newborns, chest compressions should be delivered at approximately one-third the depth of the chest. This guideline is crucial because it ensures effective compressions during resuscitation efforts, which are vital for maintaining circulation and oxygenation in an infant experiencing cardiac arrest or respiratory distress. The depth of one-third of the chest helps to optimize the balance between compressing the heart adequately to generate blood flow and avoiding excessive pressure, which could lead to injury.

Using this depth allows for effective blood circulation while also considering the fragility of a newborn's body. The correct depth of compressions enhances the efficiency of the resuscitation process, improving the chances of a successful outcome. Other specified depths, such as 2 cm or 4 cm, would not align with the specific anatomical and physiological characteristics of newborns, where even slight deviations can impact the effectiveness of the compressions significantly.