HHHFNC (Heated Humidified High-Flow Nasal Cannula) Versus NCPAP for Respiratory Distress Syndrome of Prematurity

Preterm infants are eligible to the study if they present mild to moderate Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) defined by the following criteria: need of FiO2 ( Fraction of Inspired Oxygen) ≥0.30 to keep a target SpO2 (Periferal Oxygen Saturation) beetween 88-93% and/or Silverman score ≥5. To confirm the diagnosis a Chest XR is performed as routinarily in the ward before starting the respiratory support.

They are randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups cited in "brief summary" by means of closed envelops. A block randomization is applided with a blok size of 4. The randomization is stratified per groups accoring to gestational age: from 29+0 to 32+6; from 33+0 to 34+6; from 35+0 to 36+6 weeks+days.

Once the treatment is started, for the group NCPAP there is the possibility to switch to the mode "Bi-PAP" if: there are more than 4 episodes of apnoea per hour or more than 2 episodes requiring positive pressure ventilation or if deemed by clinicians for increased work of breathing assesed by the Silverman score.

For all the groups, if the FiO2 requirement is persistently higher than 0.35-0.40 per target SpO2 86-93% and/or dyspnoea defined by Silverman score > 6 after starting the respiratory support, newborns receive Surfactant by "INSURE" technique, involving endotracheal intubation by direct laryngoscopic vision, endotracheal administration of surfactant (Curosurf, Chiesi Pharmaceutics, Parma, Italy) 200 mg/kg and finally extubation.

After the administration of surfactant, if FiO2 requirement is persistently >0.4 to keep SpO2 86-93% or severe apnea episodes are present (apnea episodes > 4/hr or >2/hr requiring positive pressure ventilation) or at the blood gas (capillary or venous) PaCO2>70 mmHg and pH<7.20, newborns are intubated and mechanically ventilated.

For all the newborns enrolled in the study, capillary or venous blood gas is checked every 6-12 hours, a cerebral and cardiac ultrasound screening is performed within 24 hrs. Further controls follow the routine of the ward.

Weaning is started decreasing HHHFNC flow by 1 lpm or nCPAP pressure by 1 cmH2O pressure if infants are presenting FIO2 < 0.30 to target SpO2 and minimal or no signs of respiratory effort. The respiratory support is discontinued for flow ≤ 2 lpm or pressure ≤ 2 cmH2O.

Inclusion criteria

• Inborn
• Parental Consent

Exclusion criteria

• No parental consent
• Major congenital malformations
• Severe intra ventricular hemorrage diagnosed early after birth