Overview
- Researchers analyzed 10,991 out-of-hospital pediatric arrests in the CARES registry, with bystander CPR delivered in about half of cases and a median lay-CPR time of three minutes.
- Survival odds rose 91% when CPR began within one minute, 98% at two to three minutes, and 37% at four to five minutes, with benefits dropping sharply thereafter.
- When CPR started after five minutes, survival odds fell 24% at six to seven minutes, 33% at eight to nine minutes, and 41% at ten minutes or more.
- Overall, more than 15% of children survived to discharge and nearly 13% left hospital with favorable brain function, with earlier CPR associated with better outcomes.
- The findings, designated preliminary ahead of AHA presentation Nov. 8–9, highlight the need for widespread community training and robust dispatcher-assisted CPR, aligning with the AHA’s Nation of Lifesavers goals.