VALUE OF NASAL-CPAP (nCPAP) IN STABLE PRETERM INFANTS BREATHING ROOM AIR: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background: There is a growing interest in the use of nCPAP in preterm infants. Its value in stable infants breathing room air has not been evaluated before.

Setting: The NICU at Rigshospitalet. Subjects: Eighty-eight infants stable on nCPAP with room air. Mean GA: 29 ± 2 wks; BW: 1264 ± 332 g; median postnatal age: 7 [0-75] days .Interventions: Infants were randomized to discontinuation of nCPAP(DC) or control and monitored for 6 h by TcPO₂, TcPCO₂, SpO₂, cardiorespiratory monitor, abdominal circumference (AC) and gastric air volume (GAV). Results: Five DC infants needed oxygen during the 6 hours-trial period. Table

Table 1

Conclusions: nCPAP in stable preterm infants breathing room air improved a/A ratio, increased abdominal distention but did not significantly prevent apneas.