How a Routine Oro/Nasopharyngeal Suction Versus No Suction at Birth Affects Respiratory and Cardiac Outcomes of Newborns

Obstruction of the oropharynx and nasopharynx passageways in infants after birth is fairly common. Thus, it is a routine procedure to use suction for all neonates. This method prompts the nurse to use a suction device, such as a bulb syringe or a catheter, to remove secretions to aid the baby in ventilation. However, in a baby that is born through clear amniotic fluid and lacks obstruction of these passageways, the need for suction may not be pertinent. Adverse effects such as lower oxygen saturation, have been associated with oro/nasopharyngeal suctioning that deem it more harmful than good, leading to the review of this practice. It is crucial to determine whether there are clear advantages or disadvantages for infants whose airway undergoes suctioning compared to those who do not.