BackgroundUse of bubble continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has generated considerable interest in neonatal care, but its comparative effectiveness compared with other forms of CPAP, especially in developed countries, remains unclear.ObjectiveTo systematically review and meta-analyse short-term clinical outcomes among preterm infants treated with bubble CPAP vs all other forms of CPAP.MethodsProspective experimental studies published from 1995 onward until October 2018 comparing bubble versus other CPAP forms in preterm neonates <37 weeks’ gestational age were included after a systematic review of multiple databases using pre-specified search criteria.ResultsA total of 978 articles were identified, of which 19 articles were included in meta-analyses. Of these, 5 had a high risk of bias, 8 had unclear risk and 6 had low risk. The risk of the primary outcome (CPAP failure within 7 days) was lower with bubble CPAP (0.75; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.98; 12 studies, 1194 subjects, I2=21%). Among secondary outcomes, only nasal injury was higher with use of bubble CPAP (risk ratio (RR) 2.04, 95% CI 1.33 to 3.14; 9 studies, 983 subjects; I2=42%) whereas no differences in mortality (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.92; 9 studies, 1212 subjects, I2=20%) or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (RR 0.8, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.21; 8 studies, 816 subjects, I2=0%) were noted.ConclusionBubble CPAP may lead to lower incidence of CPAP failure compared with other CPAP forms. However, it does not appear to translate to improvement in mortality or BPD and potential for nasal injury warrants close monitoring during clinical application.Trial registration numberCRD42019120411.
IntroductionEndotracheal tube (ETT) insertion depth estimation is important for optimal placement of ETT tip and balanced ventilation of the lungs. Various methods are available to determine the ETT insertion depth. The Neonatal Resuscitation Programme recommends the gestational age and nasal-tragus length (NTL) methods for estimating ETT insertion depth during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, the prospective data comparing these two methods is lacking.Methods and analysisThis is an open-label multi-centre randomised controlled trial, where gestational age and NTL methods will be used to determine the initial ETT insertion depth in term and preterm infants that are less than 28 days old, requiring oral intubation in the delivery room or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Sites and sample sizeThe trial is aimed to recruit 454 infants over 3 years across tertiary level NICUs.OutcomesThe primary outcome includes an optimally positioned ETT, defined as an ETT tip between the upper border of the first thoracic vertebra and the lower border of the second thoracic vertebra. The outcome is assessed by a paediatric radiologist, who will be masked to the group assignment. Secondary outcomes are malpositioned ETT tips, pneumothorax, ETT repositioning, chronic lung disease, invasive ventilation days, and death.AnalysisData will be analysed using the intention-to-treat principle. The primary and categorical secondary outcomes will be compared using the χ2 test. Adjusted risk ratios of outcomes will be calculated along with 95% CIs through multivariable logistic regression analysis, including covariates deemed biologically to influence the outcomes.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the PNU Research Ethics Board (20-0148) and the respective ethical review boards of the participating centres. The results will be disseminated through conference meetings, social media platforms, and publications in scientific journals.Trial registration numberNCT04393337.
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