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Complications associated with incorrect use of nasal CPAP

Journal of Perinatology volume 43, pages 975–981 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) is a safe, effective, non-invasive respiratory modality to deliver positive end expiratory pressure in neonates. Many studies have established its associated improved respiratory outcomes without increase in major morbidities associated with preterm neonates. In contrast, there is paucity in literature addressing complications such as nasal injury, abdominal distention, air leak syndromes (especially pneumothorax), hearing loss, heat and chemical burns, swallowing and aspiration of small components of the nasal interface and delay in escalation of respiratory support associated with the use of nCPAP, most frequently due to its incorrect use. This is a comprehensive review that seeks to address the different complications that are associated with the incorrect use of nCPAP highlighting that these are operator-related and not device-related.

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Fig. 1: Nursing nCPAP checklist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. George Washington University Hospital, Division of Neonatology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington DC, USA

    Beri Massa-Buck & Shantanu Rastogi

  2. Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington DC, USA

    Deepa Rastogi

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Contributions

BM and SR contributed to the conception and design of the study, contributed to acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of the data, and drafted the initial manuscript; DR contributed to design of the study and interpretation of the data. All authors critically revised the manuscript, approved the final manuscript as submitted.

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Correspondence to Shantanu Rastogi.

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Massa-Buck, B., Rastogi, D. & Rastogi, S. Complications associated with incorrect use of nasal CPAP. J Perinatol 43, 975–981 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01700-w

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