What is the primary goal when performing CPR on an infant?

The primary goal when performing CPR on an infant is to support circulation and oxygenation. This focus is crucial because cardiopulmonary resuscitation aims to maintain blood flow to vital organs, especially the brain and heart, until professional medical assistance can be obtained. In infants, effective chest compressions help circulate blood, ensuring that oxygen continues to be delivered to the body’s organs despite the inability to breathe normally.

While effective ventilation and restoring normal breathing are important aspects of CPR, they serve to support the overall goal of circulation and oxygenation. For an infant, who may have smaller airways and different physiological responses than older children or adults, ensuring that blood continues to flow through compressions is especially critical.

Stabilizing the spine is typically more relevant in cases of trauma rather than in scenarios specifically where CPR is required, such as cardiac arrest or near-drowning incidents. In these situations, direct interventions aimed at supporting circulatory and respiratory functions take precedence.