Noninvasive ventilation in neonates: the lungs don't like it!

Noninvasive respiratory support in the preterm infant

Multiple randomized controlled trials have suggested that nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation, compared with nasal continuous airway pressure, prevents extubation failure and may decrease bronchopulmonary dysplasia. This article summarizes these studies and suggests strategies for the use of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation in neonates.

Clinical practice : noninvasive respiratory support in newborns

The most important goal of introducing noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been to decrease the need for intubation and, therefore, mechanical ventilation in newborns. As a result, this technique may reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). In addition to nasal CPAP, improvements in sensors and flow delivery systems have resulted in the introduction of a variety of other types of NIV. For the optimal application of these novelties, a thorough physiological knowledge of mechanics of the respiratory system is necessary. In this overview, the modern insights of noninvasive respiratory therapy in newborns are discussed. These aspects include respiratory support in the delivery room; conventional and modern nCPAP; humidified, heated, and high-flow nasal cannula ventilation; and nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Finally, an algorithm is presented describing common practice in taking care of respiratory distress in prematurely born infants.