Unsynchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants after extubation

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of unsynchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation compared to continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants after extubation. Methods: A total of 67 premature infants who were Results: There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups. The prevalence of re-intubation and post-extubation atelectasis were higher in CPAP group (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01). No differences were observed in the prevalence of IVH, ROP, PDA, NEC, sepsis, pneumothorax, BPD and BPD/death between the groups while the mortality was higher in NCPAP group (p < 0.01). Neither procedure had any serious side effects such as intestinal perforation. Conclusion: NIPPV (although non-synchronized and delivered by single nasal prong) had a better effect than NCPAP after extubation of preterm infants on mechanical ventilation in respect to reducing the prevalence of post-extubation atelectasis, re-intubation and also death.