Randomized Longitudinal Study Comparing 3 Nasal Respiratory Support Modes to Prevent Intermittent Hypoxia in Very Preterm Infants

Abstract Background: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) devices using variable (vf-) and continuous (cf-) flow or synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (s-NIPPV) are used to prevent or treat intermittent hypoxia (IH) in preterm infants. Results on which is most effective vary. We aimed to investigate the effect of s-NIPPV and vf-NCPAP compared to cf-NCPAP on the rate of IH episodes.Methods: Preterm infants with a gestational age of 24.9-29.7 weeks presenting with IH while being treated with cf-NCPAP were monitored for 8 hours, then randomized to 8 h of treatment with vf-NCPAP or s-NIPPV. Data from 16 infants were analyzed. Due to an unexpectedly low sample size, results are only reported descriptively.Results: No relevant changes in the rate of IH events were detected between cf- vs. vf-NCPAP or between cf-NCPAP vs. s-NIPPV.Conclusion: Although limited by its small sample size, s-NIPPV, vf- and cf-NCPAP seemed to be similarly effective in the treatment of IH in these infants.Trial registration: This study was registered with the German Clinical Trials register - DRKS00005387. Registered 12 November 2013, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00005387