Comparison of nasal interfaces and pressures during critical time-points in NICU: observation data from over 10 years

The pressure amount and fluctuations delivered to the nasopharynx by bubble CPAP (BCPAP) is affected by the nasal interface, but the clinical effects of transmitted pressure fluctuations from BCPAP are unknown.

Retrospective study of 2432 infants < 33 weeks GA had respiratory variables electronically extracted for: 1) delivery room, 2) initial 72 h, 3) after extubation, and 4) 31 weeks PMA. BCPAP nasal interfaces (RAM® cannula and Babi.Plus^TM) for different bottle pressures (5/6 of 7/8 cmH₂O) were compared.

RAM5/6 had more CPAP failures than RAM7/8 or Babi5/6. Babi5/6 had less CPAP failure in first 72 h in NICU, but RAM7/8 had less in DR. Less infants failed CPAP at extubation in Babi5/6 due to decreased apnea events.

At similar transmitted nasopharyngeal pressures, Babi.Plus had less CPAP failure and apnea than RAM in NICU, whereas the ease of application of RAM may help in delivery room.