Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
The effect of a face mask for respiratory support on breathing in preterm infants at birth
Kristel L A M Kuypers1, Tereza Lamberska2, Tessa Martherus1
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands.
Objective:
Applying a mask on the face for respiratory support could induce a trigeminocardiac reflex leading to apnoea and bradycardia. We have examined the effect of applying a face mask on breathing and heart rate in preterm infants at birth.
Methods:
Resuscitation videos of infants ≤ 32 weeks gestation recorded from 2010 until 2018 at the Leiden University Medical Centre and the General University Hospital in Prague were reviewed. All infants received respiratory support via face mask. Breathing and heart rate were noted before and after application of the face mask and over the first 5 min.
Results:
Recordings of 429 infants were included (median (IQR) gestational age of 28+6 (27+1-30+4) weeks). In 368/429 (86%) infants breathing was observed before application of the face mask and 197/368 (54%) of these infants stopped breathing following application of the face mask. Apnoea occurred at a median of 5 (3-17) seconds after application of the face mask with a duration of 28 (22-34) seconds of the first minute. In a logistic regression model, the occurrence of apnoea after face mask application was inversely associated with gestational age (OR = 1.424 (1.281-1.583), p < 0.001). Infants who stopped breathing had a significantly lower heart rate 82 (66-123) vs 134 (97-151) bpm, p < 0.001) and oxygen saturation (49% (33-59) vs 66% (50-82), p < 0.001) over the first minute after face mask application, compared to infants who continued breathing.
Conclusion:
Applying a face mask for respiratory support affects breathing in a large proportion (54%) of preterm infants and this effect is gestational age dependent.
Related Concept Videos
14:43A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
08:58Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs
08:20Basic Life Support Part II: Airway/Breathing and Continued Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation are the most important interventions for patients with cardiac arrest, and should be the first steps that rescuers perform. This is reflected in the American Heart Association's new "CAB" mnemonic. While rescuers were once taught the "ABCs" of cardiac arrest, they now learn "CAB" -...
05:46A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects
06:27Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
11:50Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit