Pediatric infectious disease
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Between 1978 and 1982 at least eight physicians at our institution were exposed to infectious secretions while performing mouth-to-tube resuscitation. A questionnaire revealed that 74% of responding pediatric physicians accidentally ingested secretions in 1982. The risk of cross-contamination between newborn patients and resuscitating physicians with the oral methods of oropharyngeal and endotracheal suctioning is considerable.