COVID-19 Pandemic Leads to Decline in Rescue Breathing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Pediatrics

Strategic Insights -

A recent study from Okayama University in Japan sheds light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on resuscitation practices worldwide, particularly in pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. The research found that the pandemic led to a significant decline in rescue breathing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (RB-CPR) among pediatric patients, despite the importance of rescue breathing in pediatric resuscitation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a decline in RB-CPR from 33.0% pre-pandemic to 21.1% during the pandemic among pediatric OHCA patients in Japan.
  • Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classified as chest compression-only CPR (CO-CPR) was associated with higher 30-day mortality (adjusted risk ratio: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.08-1.24) and unfavorable neurological outcomes (adjusted risk ratio: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05-1.16) compared to RB-CPR.
  • The decrease in RB-CPR was estimated to contribute to 10.7 excess deaths annually during the pandemic.
  • The research highlights the importance of rescue breathing in pediatric OHCA and emphasizes the need for integrating infection control measures in pediatric resuscitation training for future public health emergencies.
  • The study found consistent trends across age groups and arrest etiologies, particularly for non-cardiac causes.

Statistics:

  • 7,162 pediatric OHCA cases were included in the study.
  • 3,352 (46.8%) of pediatric OHCA cases received bystander CPR.
  • RB-CPR decreased from 33.0% pre-pandemic to 21.1% during the pandemic.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Okayama University Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Compression Only CPR and Mortality in Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest During COVID-19 Pandemic). Pediatrics Week. July 26, 2025; p 10.
  • Compression Only CPR and Mortality in Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest During COVID-19 Pandemic. Resuscitation, 2025:110706.