Refining the Use of Nasal High-Flow Therapy as Primary Respiratory Support for Preterm Infants

Abstract

Objective: To identify clinical and demographic variables that predict nasal high-flow (nHF) treatment failure when used as a primary respiratory support for preterm infants. Study design: This secondary analysis used data from a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial comparing nHF with continuous positive airway pressure as primary respiratory support in preterm infants 28-36 completed weeks of gestation. Treatment success or failure with nHF was determined using treatment failure criteria within the first 72 hours after randomization. Infants in whom nHF treatment failed received continuous positive airway pressure, and were then intubated if failure criteria were again met. Results: Th..