Medications used in neonatal resuscitation

Medication	Action	Indication	Dose and route
Epinephrine	Increases cardiac output by increasing the heart rate and myocardial contractility, increases blood pressure by causing peripheral vasoconstriction	Heart rate <60 per minute despite adequate ventilation and chest compressions	0.1 to 0.3 mL/kg IV using 0.1 mg/mL epinephrine (also labeled 1:10,000) 0.3 to 1 mL/kg ET using 0.1 mg/mL epinephrine (also labeled 1:10,000)
Isotonic saline	Increases intravascular volume	Suspected hypovolemia	10 mL/kg of 0.9 percent saline solution IV over 5 to 10 minutes
Sodium bicarbonate	Corrects metabolic acidosis	Not recommended for routine use. Has been used in cases of metabolic acidosis, and should only be given after adequate ventilation and circulation have been established.	1 or 2 mEq/kg slow IV administration at a rate no faster than 1 mEq/kg per minute

IV: intravenous; ET: endotracheal.

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