Time to desaturation in preterm infants undergoing endotracheal intubation

Abstract

Background Neonatal endotracheal intubation is often associated with physiological instability. The Neonatal Resuscitation Program recommends a time-based limit (30 s) for intubation attempts in the delivery room, but there are limited physiological data to support recommendations in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We aimed to determine the time to desaturation after ceasing spontaneous or assisted breathing in preterm infants undergoing elective endotracheal intubation in the NICU. Methods Observational study at The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. A secondary analysis was performed of video recordings of neonates ≤32 weeks' postmenstrual age undergoing elective intubation. Infan..