Asphyxia Neonatorum Treated by Electrical Stimulation of the Phrenic Nerve

History of Neonatal Resuscitation – Part 1: Artificial Ventilation

“…It should be searched not too deeply and the electrodes should be inserted gently towards the lateral edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle … I believe this technique to be not only harmless, but also urgently indicated in all cases of asphyxia … it should be used initially without trying all other methods, for undoubtedly many a child loses the glowing spark of life due to languid experimentation with various methods. ' Electric stimulation was never given up entirely, as seen by the recommendation of Cross and Roberts in 1951 to stimulate the phrenic nerve in neonatal asphyxia [13] .…”