HIGH FLOW NASAL CANNULAE VERSUS NASAL CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF APNEA OF PREMATURITY

Abstract

IAOP is a common and important problem in NICU. Treatment of IAOP generally involves pharmacologic and non• pharmacologic approaches. Various treatments for apnea in preterm infants have been used, including physical stimulation by nursing staff, pharmacological treatment (methylxanthines and doxapram) and assisted ventilation using CPAP. High flow nasal cannula therapy has recently been suggested. as an equivalent treatment modality that may allow CPAP delivery while enhancing mobility of the infant for parents and caretakers. The aim of the present study was to verify the benefits and side effects ofNCPAP and HFNC in the treatment of IAOP. This study was carried out on 30 low birthweight (LBW) preterms, weight <2 kg, gestational age <35 wk, suffering from apnea of prematurity and not significantly improved by oxygen and adequate theophylline therapy. Patients were selected from NICU of Tanta University Hospital during the period from January 2005 to June 2006. All patients were started on NCPAP, 6 cmH,O, and theophy/line treatment for 24 hours. Patients were then classified into 2 groups according to the line of therapy: NCPAP plus theophylline for group (I), High flow nasal cannulae plus theophylline for group (II). Each group consisted of I5 preterms. Care was taken to exclude cases of neonatal apnea of pathologic etiology. Fifteen preterms of comparable age, gender and weight distribution and who had no clinically documented cardiorespiratory events for at least 2 days before the study were enrolled as a control group.