Continuous positive airway pressure failure in preterm infants: Incidence, predictors and consequences

Abstract

Background: Preterm infants ≤32 weeks' gestation are increasingly being managed on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), without prior intubation and surfactant therapy. Some infants treated in this way ultimately fail on CPAP and require intubation and ventilation. Objectives: To define the incidence, predictors and consequences of CPAP failure in preterm infants managed with CPAP from the outset. Methods: Preterm infants 25-32 weeks' gestation were included in the study if inborn and managed with CPAP as the initial respiratory support, with division into two gestation ranges and grouping according to whether they were successfully managed on CPAP (CPAP-S) or failed on CPAP and requi..