Author(s): David J R Hutchon
The heart rate of a neonate at birth is used to determine whether or not resuscitation is required. The normal healthy range of heart rate is not well established and the method for determining the heart rate is often unreliable and undocumented in the first minute or so after birth. The reasons for the poorly established heart rate norms are discussed and the solution for reliable measurement and documentation of the neonatal heart rate immediately after birth is presented.