Extended CPAP or low-flow nasal cannula for intermittent hypoxaemia in preterm infants: a 24-hour randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Optimal timing of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) cessation in preterm infants remains undetermined. We hypothesised that CPAP extension compared with weaning to low-flow nasal cannula (NC) reduces intermittent hypoxaemia (IH) and respiratory instability in preterm infants meeting criteria to discontinue CPAP.

DESIGN: Single-centre randomised clinical trial.

SETTING: Level 4 neonatal intensive care unit.

PATIENTS: 36 infants <34 weeks' gestation receiving CPAP≤5 cmH2 O and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2 ) ≤0.30 and meeting respiratory stability criteria.

INTERVENTIONS: Extended CPAP was compared with weaning to low-flow NC (0.5 L/kg/min with a limit of 1.0 L/min) for 24 hours.

OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was IH (number of episodes with SpO2 <85% lasting ≥10 s). Secondary outcomes included: coefficient of variability of SpO2 , proportion of time in various SpO2 ranges, episodes (≥10 s) with SpO2 <80%, median cerebral and renal oxygenation, median effective FiO2 , median transcutaneous carbon dioxide and bradycardia (<100/min for≥10 s).

RESULTS: The median (IQR) episodes of IH per 24-hour period was 20 (6-48) in the CPAP group and 76 (18-101) in the NC group (p=0.03). Infants continued on CPAP had less bradycardia, time with SpO2 <91% and <85%, and lower FiO2 (all p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in IH<80%, median transcutaneous carbon dioxide or median cerebral or renal oxygenation.

CONCLUSION: In preterm infants meeting respiratory stability criteria for CPAP cessation, extended CPAP decreased IH, bradycardia and other hypoxaemia measures compared with weaning to low-flow NC during the 24-hour intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04792099.