'[ N ORDER to contribute to reduction of the considerable death rate in the j newborn infant, continued emphasis must be placed upon prophylaxis and treatment of cyanosis or apnea. In recent years a number of studies have been made upon the cause of this apnea. In 1941, we published a preliminary rtrticlet on our experiences in the resuscitation of the newborn infant, based upon 196 cases. Since then, 1,048 additional resuscitations have been effected and have made the following observations possible. Asphyxia, or the better term, apnea. is defined as an interference with the oxygenation of the blood stream, or, clinically, it may be expressed as the lack of spontaneous effort to take a breath within thirty seconds after the cord .is. severed. After this period of time, definite cerebral changes will take place fr.om anoxernia, anrl if oxygenation of the blood stre:un does not occur \vithin one or two minutes, there will be definite permanent cerebral changes. Oxy.genation before this time will overcome any changes which will have taken place. Causes of Asphyxia