High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy for Respiratory Distress in Preterm Babies?

Treatment failure was more frequent with HFNC than with CPAP in babies with early respiratory failure.

Use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy as means of noninvasive respiratory support for preterm infants has increased over the last decade, largely because the devices are easy to use and well tolerated. Although HFNC has been shown to be equivalent to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for postextubation support of recovering preterm babies, whether this modality provides safe and effective early support for respiratory distress syndrome remains unknown.

To examine this issue, investigators conducted a randomized, controlled, noninferiority trial involving 583 moderately preterm infants (gestational age, 28 weeks to 36 weeks plus 6 days) at nine centers in Australia and Norway. The infants received respiratory support with eit…

Reviewing Author

Robin Steinhorn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardActelion Pharmaceuticals

Editorial BoardsJournal of Pediatrics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Pediatric Society (President); American Board of Pediatrics (Board of Directors)

Robin Steinhorn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardActelion Pharmaceuticals

Editorial BoardsJournal of Pediatrics

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Pediatric Society (President); American Board of Pediatrics (Board of Directors)

High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy for Respiratory Distress in Preterm Babies?

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Reviewing Author