What is the primary goal of resuscitating a newborn?

The primary goal of resuscitating a newborn is to restore effective breathing and circulation. In the context of newborn life support, the initial steps focus on ensuring that the infant starts breathing adequately and that blood is circulating effectively throughout the body. This is crucial because newborns who are not breathing or have impaired circulation can quickly develop severe complications due to lack of oxygen delivery to vital organs.

In resuscitation, airway management, providing positive pressure ventilation if needed, and initiating chest compressions if the heart rate is too low are all methods employed to support breathing and circulation. Restoring these two functions is essential for the newborn's survival and can prevent potential long-term neurological damage due to hypoxia.

While aspects such as preventing hypothermia or maintaining a stable heart rate are important in the overall care of a newborn, they are considered secondary to the immediate need for effective breathing and circulation. Therefore, the focus of newborn resuscitation is primarily on establishing these critical life-sustaining functions.