Rol del enfermero de neonatología en la administración de oxigenoterapia.

Abstract

During birth, physiological changes occur in virtually all child's organs, including the central nervous system. In this phase of transition, a certain degree of hypoxemia is possible, generally well tolerated by the neonate. However, if neonatal hypoxia is very intense and continuous, it may neonatal encephalopathy develops, which characterizes a critical situation for the newborn. Its adequate approach is essential to guarantee a good long-term prognosis. Development. Information is updated about neonatal hypoxia and recent publications about the advances in its approach through evidence-based medicine. Conclusions. Neonatal encephalopathy can be classified from the point of clinical view in three intensity levels. Usually, mild cases have a good prognosis, cases of moderate intensity have a 30% chance of sequelae and those of severe intensity have more than 70% mortality, but Virtually all survivors will have consequences. The advances occurred in two areas: in diagnosis, with new EEG and MRI techniques, and in treatment, with the appearance of therapeutic hypothermia.