Interface leakage during neonatal CPAP treatment: a randomised, cross-over trial

To determine leakage for two neonatal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) interfaces and evaluate leak-corrective manoeuvres.

The ToNIL (Trial of NCPAP Interface Leakage) study was a randomised, clinical, cross-over trial with data collection between August 2018 and October 2019. The primary outcome was blinded to the treating staff.

One secondary, 8-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and three larger (>15 beds), academic NICU referral centres.

Newborn infants with CPAP were screened (n=73), and those with stable spontaneous breathing, low oxygen requirement, postmenstrual age (PMA) over 28 weeks and no comorbidities were eligible. In total, 50 infants were included (median PMA 33 completed weeks).

Leakage was measured for both prongs and nasal mask, before and after leak-corrective manoeuvres. Interface application was performed in a randomised order by a nurse, blinded to the measured leakage.

30 s average leakage, measured in litres per minute (LPM).

Analyses showed a significantly lower leakage (mean difference 0.86 LPM, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.65) with prongs (median 2.01 LPM, IQR 1.00-2.80) than nasal mask (median 2.45 LPM, IQR 0.99-5.11). Leak-corrective manoeuvres reduced leakage significantly for both prongs (median 1.22 LPM, IQR 0.54-1.87) and nasal mask (median 2.35 LPM, IQR 0.76-4.75).

Large leakages were common for both interfaces, less with prongs. Simple care manoeuvres reduced leakage for both interfaces. This is the first report of absolute leakage for nasal interfaces and should encourage further studies on leakage during CPAP treatment.