What does effective resuscitation ultimately aim to achieve for a newborn?

Effective resuscitation in newborns is primarily aimed at restoring normal heart and respiratory function. This goal is crucial because a newborn who is not breathing adequately or whose heart is not functioning properly is at immediate risk of severe complications or even death. The primary focus of resuscitation efforts is to normalize the newborn's heart rate and ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation to promote overall recovery.

While cardiac stabilization, successful intubation, and uninterrupted ventilation are important aspects of the resuscitation process, they are considered steps or means to achieve the ultimate goal of restoring normal physiological function. Ensuring that the heart beats effectively and that the lungs can oxygenate the blood are fundamental to the newborn's survival and healthy transition to life outside the womb. Therefore, the restoration of normal heart and respiratory function encapsulates the ultimate aim of effective resuscitation.