What action should be taken if a newborn's heart rate is less than 60 bpm?

When a newborn's heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute, this indicates a critical condition that requires immediate intervention. In this scenario, initiating CPR with a 3:1 ratio of compressions to breaths is the appropriate response.

In newborn resuscitation, if the heart rate drops below 60 bpm, it suggests that the baby may be experiencing severe bradycardia, which can severely compromise oxygen delivery to vital organs. The recommended approach is to provide positive pressure ventilation and chest compressions in a specific ratio. The 3:1 ratio means for every three compressions, one breath should be given. This technique is essential to help restore blood circulation and improve oxygenation to mitigate further complications that can arise from prolonged low heart rate.

In this life-threatening situation, simply monitoring the newborn without intervention is insufficient and dangerous. Starting ventilation immediately is important, but it should be combined with compressions if the heart rate does not improve. Allowing the baby to warm up, while important in a broader context of newborn care, will not address the immediate concern of a critical heart rate. Therefore, the action taken must focus on restoring circulation effectively and promptly.