ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy of nasal synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (nSIMV) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty preterm infants with RDS who received pulmonary surfactant were randomized to nSIMV and nCPAP groups after extubation. Clinical signs, symptoms and blood gas results following nSIMV or nCPAP were compared in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the nCPAP group, the nSIMV group had a lower incidence of failure respiratory support (24% vs 60%; P<0.05), a lower incidence of hypercarbonia (12% vs 40%; P<0.05) and a lower incidence of hypoxia (24% vs 36%; P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>nSIMV is more effective in respiratory support in preterm infants with RDS.</p>