ABSTRACT
Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome [RDS] in premature infants who survived and its complications are a common problem. Due to high morbidity and mechanical ventilation [MV] nowadays researchers in interested minimizing MV. To determine, in very low birth weight [BW] preterm neonates with RDS, if initial treatment with nasal intermittent mandatory ventilation [early NIMV] compared with early nasal continuous positive airway pressure [early NCPAP] obtains more favorable outcomes in terms of the duration of treatment, and the need for endotracheal tube ventilation. In this single-center randomized control trial study, infants [BW 30%. Primary outcomes were failure of noninvasive respiratory support, that is, the need for MV in the first 48 h of life and for the duration of noninvasive respiratory support in each group. 98 infants were enrolled [44 in the NIMV and 54 in the NCPAP group]. The Preventive power of MV of NIMV usage [95.5%] was not lower than the NCPAP [98.1%] strength [hazard ratio: 0.21 [95% confidence interval: 0.02-2.66]; P: 0.23]. The duration of noninvasive respiratory support in the NIMV group was significantly shorter than NCPAP [the median [range] was 24 [18.00-48.00] h versus 48.00 [22.00-120.00] h in NIMV versus NCPAP groups; P < 0.001]. Similarly, the duration of dependency on oxygen was less, for NIMV [the median [range] was 96.00 [41.00-504.00] h versus144.00 [70.00-1130.00] h in NIMV versus NCPAP groups; P: 0.009]. Interestingly, time to full enteral feeds and length of hospital stay were more favorable in the NIMV versus the NCPAP group