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Noninvasive ventilation techniques such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation have become a mainstay of contemporary neonatal practice, because they are believed to best protect the very immature lung. Although several studies have indicated short-term benefit, there are few long-term assessments of lung function.
Investigators in Victoria, Australia, performed longitudinal follow-up of all survivors of extremely preterm birth in their region for three time periods: 1991 to 1992 (225 infants), 1997 (151 infants), and 2005 (170 infants). Patterns of respiratory support changed between periods 1991 to 1992 and 2005 as follows: median duration of mechanical ventilation fell (from 21 to 10 da…