According to a new Japanese study, the traditional version of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions might be a better idea for children in cardiac arrest.

Japanese researchers, in Wednesday's issue of the Lancet, observed the medical records of 5,170 patients aged 17 and younger who had a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital.

Dr. Taku Iwami of Kyoto University Health Service and Co-Authors said that a “favorable neurological outcome” was possible for 4.5% or 110 out of 2,439 children who received any CPR by a passerby, as compared to those who got no CPR.

CPR with mouth-to-mouth appears to work best for cardiac arrests after hanging, drowning, drug overdose and acute respiratory problems that account for about 70%of cases in children.

On the other hand, conventional CPR with chest compression and rescue breathing is more effective than just compressions for cardiac arrest brought on by lack of oxygen in the blood.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada suggests conventional CPR with chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth for people who are skilled in CPR, while untrained onlookers should opt for hands-only CPR.

However, it implied that the hands-only CPR should not be used for infants or children, or for adults whose cardiac arrest is from respiratory causes like drug overdose or near-drowning.