ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the efficacy of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation with heliox in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Methods: Premature infants with mild respiratory distress syndrome requiring non-invasive respiratory support were eligible. Infants were randomly assigned to heliox or air-oxygen group. The main outcome was the length of ventilation. Results: Heliox significantly decreased the length of ventilation. The length of ventilation was positively correlated with interleukin-6 at baseline. Carbon dioxide elimination was better in the heliox group. Conclusion: Heliox delivered with nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation may be effective in reducing length of ventilation and increasing carbon dioxide elimination.