ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) is the standard noninvasive respiratory support for newborns with respiratory distress. Evidence for high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) as an alternative mode of respiratory support is inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to evaluate whether HFNC is not inferior to nCPAP in reducing the need for higher respiratory support in the first 72 h of life when applied as a noninvasive respiratory support mode for preterm neonates with respiratory distress. METHODS: Preterm infants (gestation ≥28 weeks and birth weight ≥1,000 g) with respiratory distress were randomized to either HFNC or nCPAP in a non-inferiority trial. Failure of the support mode in the first 72 h after birth was the primary outcome. Infants failing HFNC were rescued either with nCPAP or mechanical ventilation, and those failing nCPAP received mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: During the study period, 139 and 133 infants were randomized to the nCPAP and HFNC groups, respectively. The study was stopped after an interim analysis showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the primary outcome between the 2 groups. The treatment failure was significantly higher in the HFNC group (HFNC, n = 35, 26.3%, vs. CPAP, n = 11, 7.9%, risk difference 18.4 percentage points, 95% CI 9.7-27). Among the infants in the HFNC group who had treatment failure (n = 35), 32 were initially rescued with CPAP. The rate of mechanical ventilation in the first 3 and 7 days of life was similar between the 2 groups. Treatment failure was significantly higher in the HFNC group per protocol and also in the subgroups of infants with moderate (Silverman Anderson score, SAS ≤5) or severe respiratory distress (SAS score >5). CONCLUSIONS: When comparing HFNC to nCPAP as a primary noninvasive respiratory support in preterm infants with respiratory distress, HFNC is inferior to nCPAP in avoiding the need for a higher mode of respiratory support in the first 72 h of life.
Subject(s)
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure/methods , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/methods , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/mortality , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/therapy , Cannula , Continuous Positive Airway Pressure/adverse effects , Female , Humans , India/epidemiology , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature , Male , Nose , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/adverse effects , Survival Analysis , Treatment FailureABSTRACT
We report a case of prolonged post-operative stridor in a full-term neonate who was operated for tracheoesophageal fistula. Initial evaluation including an endoscopy and contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan was normal. Repeat endoscopic evaluation under anesthesia revealed tight aryepiglottic folds. Aryepiglottic split was performed and stridor improved dramatically. Tight aryepiglottic folds should be kept in differential diagnosis in a case of postoperative stridor in an infant.
