What is the immediate next step when the heart rate of a newborn increases to 80 bpm after starting positive-pressure ventilation?

When a newborn’s heart rate increases to 80 beats per minute after initiating positive-pressure ventilation, the appropriate immediate next step is to continue the positive-pressure ventilation. This response indicates that the infant is starting to improve, as effective ventilation can lead to better oxygenation and circulation, progressively normalizing the heart rate.

Continuing positive-pressure ventilation is essential at this stage because it helps maintain adequate breathing and oxygen delivery until the newborn's respiratory function stabilizes further. Monitoring the heart rate and other vital signs allows healthcare providers to assess the effectiveness of ventilation continuously. If the heart rate were to remain low or decrease further, additional interventions such as administering medications or performing chest compressions might then be indicated. However, since there is an observable improvement in heart rate, it is crucial to maintain the supportive ventilation strategy.

Other actions such as checking oxygen saturation levels or considering more aggressive interventions, like administering epinephrine or beginning chest compressions, are typically reserved for scenarios where the heart rate remains critically low or does not respond to initial resuscitative measures.