This study is designed to evaluate the effect of heated humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) as compared to noninvasive nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) on lung function as a measure of lung injury in preterm infants born at 28 to 37 weeks gestation requiring continuing respiratory support.
Respiratory distress and the need for respiratory support continues to be a common problem for preterm infants. Presence of the breathing tube and duration of respirator provided breaths have been shown to be associated with increased risk for secondary lung injury and subsequent development of chronic lung disease of prematurity. Early application of noninvasive nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) has been shown to be an effective, non-invasive, mode of respiratory support in preterm infants and to be associated with a lower incidence of chronic lung disease. A recently published large randomized multicenter study concluded that, among infants born at 28 weeks and longer gestation, heated humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) had similar clinical efficacy and safety as compared to NCPAP. Both NCPAP and HHHFNC are currently used to assist infants with breathing problems. This study is designed to evaluate the effect of HHHFNC as compared to NCPAP on lung function as a measure of lung injury in preterm infants born at 28 to 37 weeks gestation requiring continuing respiratory support. In this study, infants will remain on the assigned treatment of either NCPAP or HHHFNC until they require more support as provided by a respirator or until a treatment cross-over from NCPAP to HHHFNC, or the reverse, as decided by their attending physician. The infant's respiratory support will be managed according to his/her attending doctor as per accepted standards of care. A pulmonary function test will be performed twice weekly on each enrolled infant while receiving either NCPAP or HHHFNC support, followed-up by once weekly lung function measurements post respiratory support while infants are breathing only room air until discharge.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Biweekly measurement of lung mechanics (dynamic compliance, airway resistance, work of breathing) and chest wall asynchrony measures while on HHHFNC and weekly when weaned off until 40 weeks post conceptional age or discharge. Recording of the level and the type of respiratory support and all cross over respiratory support devices. Recording of all growth parameters, neonatal morbidities and therapies.
Biweekly measurement of lung mechanics (dynamic compliance, airway resistance, work of breathing) and chest wall asynchrony measures while on NCPAP and weekly when weaned off until 40 weeks post conceptional age or discharge. Recording of the level and the type of respiratory support and all cross over respiratory support devices. Recording of all growth parameters, neonatal morbidities and therapies.
Pennsylvania Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Pulmonary mechanics and chest wall asynchrony measures.
Pulmonary mechanics measures consisting of dynamic lung compliance, airway resistance, and work of breathing and chest wall asynchrony measures consisting of thoracoabdominal asynchrony, labored breathing index and rib cage to abdominal phase relation during the total breath are measured in preterm infants treated with HHHFNC and compared to the same measurements in preterm infants treated with NCPAP.
Time frame: 2 years
Duration of respiratory support or oxygen use up to the time of discharge from the NICU.
The total number of days while infants are on any type of respiratory support or oxygen use prior to discharge in preterm infants treated with HHHFNC compared to NCPAP during their hospital stay.
Time frame: 2 years
The incidence of potential adverse outcomes associated with HHHFNC or NCPAP.
The number and percentage of infants in each group with adverse effects such as facial and upper airways injury associated with the use of HHHFNC or NCPAP.
Time frame: 2 years
Time needed to establish full enteral feeds
The total number of days needed to establish full enteral feeds in preterm infants treated with HHHFNC as compared to preterm infants treated with NCPAP.
Time frame: 2 years
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