Definition

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when a child's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after drowning, suffocation, choking, or an injury. CPR involves:

• Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to a child's lungs
• Chest compressions, which keep the child's blood circulating

Permanent brain damage or death can occur within 4 minutes if a child's blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue CPR until the child's heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrives.

For the purposes of CPR, puberty is defined as breast development in females and the presence of axillary (armpit) hair in males.

Alternative Names

Rescue breathing and chest compressions - child; Resuscitation - cardiopulmonary - child; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation - child

Considerations

CPR is best done by someone trained in an accredited CPR course. The newest techniques emphasize compression over rescue breathing and airway management, reversing a long-standing practice.

All parents and those who take care of children should learn infant and child CPR if they have not already. See cpr.heart.org/en/course-catalog-search for classes near you.

Time is very important when dealing with an unconscious child who is not breathing. Permanent brain damage begins after only 4 minutes without oxygen, and death can occur as soon as 4 to 6 minutes later.

Machines called automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be found in many public places, and are available for home use. These machines have pads or paddles to place on the chest during a life-threatening emergency. They use computers to automatically check the heart rhythm and give a sudden shock if, and only if, that shock is needed to get the heart back into the right rhythm. When using an AED, follow the instructions exactly.

The procedures described in this article are NOT a substitute for CPR training.

Causes

There are many things that cause a child's heartbeat and breathing to stop. Some reasons you may need to do CPR on a child include:

• Choking
• Drowning
• Electrical shock
• Excessive bleeding
• Head trauma or other serious injury
• Lung disease
• Poisoning
• Suffocation

Symptoms

CPR should be done if the child has any of the following symptoms:

• No breathing
• No pulse
• Unconsciousness

First Aid

1. Check for alertness. Tap the child gently. See if the child moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you OK?"

2. If there is no response, shout for help. Tell someone to call 911 or the local emergency number and get an AED if available. Do not leave the child alone until you have done CPR for about 2 minutes.

3. Carefully place the child on its back. If there is a chance the child has a spinal injury, two people should move the child to prevent the head and neck from twisting.

4. Perform chest compressions:

• Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone -- just below the nipples. Make sure your heel is not at the very end of the breastbone. You may need to use both hands depending on your size and the size of the child.
• Keep your other hand on the child's forehead, keeping the head tilted back.
• Press down on the child's chest so that it compresses about one third to one half the depth of the chest.
• Give 30 chest compressions. Each time, let the chest rise completely. These compressions should be fast and hard with no pausing. Count the 30 compressions quickly: "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30, off''.
• Rescuers, especially those who are trained in CPR, may also perform chest compressions by the 'two-thumb encircling hands technique.' To do this, encircle the infant's chest with both hands, and compress the chest with both thumbs about one third to one half the depth of the chest.

5. Open the airway. Lift up the chin with one hand. At the same time, tilt the head by pushing down on the forehead with the other hand.

6. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Place your ear close to the child's mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek.

7. If the child is not breathing:

• Cover the child's mouth tightly with your mouth.
• Pinch the nose closed.
• Keep the chin lifted and head tilted.
• Give two rescue breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise.

8. After about 2 minutes of CPR, if the child still does not have normal breathing, coughing, or any movement, leave the child if you are alone and call 911 or the local emergency number. If an AED for children is available, use it now.

9. Repeat rescue breathing and chest compressions until the child recovers or help arrives. Children undergoing CPR should receive two breaths after every 30 chest compressions if there is a single rescuer. They should receive the two breaths after every 15 chest compressions if there are two rescuers.

If the child starts breathing again, place them in the recovery position. Keep checking for breathing until help arrives.

Do Not

• If you think the child has a spinal injury, pull the jaw forward without moving the head or neck. DO NOT let the mouth close.
• If the child has signs of normal breathing, coughing, or movement, DO NOT begin chest compressions. Doing so may cause the heart to stop beating.
• Unless you are a health professional, DO NOT check for a pulse. Only a health care professional is properly trained to check for a pulse.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

• If you have help, tell one person to call 911 or the local emergency number while another person begins CPR.
• If you are alone, shout loudly for help and begin CPR. After doing CPR for about 2 minutes, if no help has arrived, call 911 or the local emergency number. You may carry the child with you to the nearest phone (unless you suspect a spinal injury).

Prevention

Most children need CPR because of a preventable accident. The following tips may help prevent an accident:

• Teach your children the basic principles of family safety.
• Teach your child to swim.
• Teach your child to watch for cars and how to ride a bike safely.
• Make sure you follow the guidelines for using children's car seats.
• Teach your child firearm safety. If you have guns in your home, keep them locked in an isolated cabinet.
• Teach your child the meaning of "don't touch."

Never underestimate what a child can do. Assume the child can move and pick up things more than you think they can. Think about what the child may get into next, and be ready. Climbing and squirming are to be expected. Always use safety straps on high chairs and strollers.

Choose age-appropriate toys. Do not give small children toys that are heavy or fragile. Inspect toys for small or loose parts, sharp edges, points, loose batteries, and other hazards. Keep toxic chemicals and cleaning solutions safely stored in childproof cabinets.

Create a safe environment and supervise children carefully, particularly around water and near furniture. Electrical outlets, stove tops, and medicine cabinets can be dangerous for small children.

References

American Heart Association. Highlights of the 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and ECC. cpr.heart.org/-/media/cpr-files/cpr-guidelines-files/highlights/hghlghts_2020_ecc_guidelines_english.pdf. Accessed March 24, 2023.

Duff JP, Topjian A, Berg MD, et al. 2019 American Heart Association focused update on pediatric advanced life support: an update to the American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Circulation. 2019;140(24):e904-731-e914. PMID: 30571264 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31722551/.

Easter JS. Pediatric resuscitation. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 158.

Rose E. Pediatric upper airway obstruction and infections. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 162.

Topjian AA, Raymond TT, Atkins D, et al; Pediatric Basic and Advanced Life Support Collaborators. Part 4: Pediatric basic and advanced life support: 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Circulation. 2020;142(16_suppl_2):S469-S523. PMID: 33081526 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33081526/.