Feasibility of a novel ultra-low-cost bubble CPAP (bCPAP) System for neonatal respiratory support at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is recommended in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome of premature newborns, however there are significant barriers to its implementation in low-resource settings. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of use and integration of Vayu bCPAP Systems into the newborn unit at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective qualitative study was conducted from April 6 to October 6 2021. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients treated with Vayu bCPAP Systems were collected and analyzed. Healthcare workers were interviewed until thematic saturation. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using a framework analysis. RESULTS: 370 patients were treated with Vayu bCPAP Systems during the study period. Mean birth weight was 1522 g (500-3800), mean duration of bCPAP treatment was 7.2 days (<1-39 d), and survival to wean was 81.4%. Twenty-four healthcare workers were interviewed and perceived Vayu bCPAP Systems as having become essential for treating neonatal respiratory distress at MNH. Key reasons were that Vayu bCPAP Systems improve patient outcomes, are easy to use, and more patients are now able to receive quality care. Barriers to integration included durability of oxygen tubing material and training. CONCLUSIONS: It was feasible to implement and integrate Vayu bCPAP Systems into the care of neonates at Muhimbili National Hospital.

An assessment of improved outcomes using low-cost bubble CPAP in very low birthweight neonates in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

Respiratory distress contributes to the high burden of preterm mortality globally. The aim of our study was to evaluate the use of low-cost Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure devices for treating respiratory distress and their outcomes in preterm infants weighing <1500g. Data was extracted from admission records of 211 infants over two distinct 4-year periods before and after introduction of bCPAP. With survival rates of 26.7% and 61.8% in the pre and post bCPAP eras respectively, significantly improved outcomes were found.

Cost implication of CPAP use in low resource settings, surmounting the oxygen administration challenge.

PURPOSE: Newborn respiratory support using Bubble Continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) has become acceptable in Nigeria as many centers are increasingly reporting its usefulness. There is increasing access to CPAP devices although the use of 100% oxygen for bCPAP administration is on the rise as oxygen/air blenders are not commonly available or insufficient. The cost of oxygen has become a significant contributor to hospital bills. The oxygen concentrator driven bCPAP device with blending capacity is expected to save lives and reduce cost of care. OBJECTIVE: To compare the cost saving benefit of the use of oxygen concentrator bCPAP devices for CPAP administration to oxygen based devices in a resource limited setting. METHODS: This prospective cross sectional study was done between February and December 2019. The oxygen use by CPAP devices-Improvised (IbCPAP), Fisher and Paykel and T-piece were quantified, costed, documented and compared with the same duration of use of concentrator CPAP-Diamedica. RESULTS: CPAP services was accessed by 357 babies, 154 males and 203 females of GA range from 22 to 42 weeks and Birthweights range from 264 to 4400 grams. The main indication for CPAP was respiratory distress syndrome 201(56.3%). Oxygen supply were by oxygen pipeline 250 (70%), cylinders 39 (10.9%), concentrator CPAP 44 (12.3%) mixed source 24 (6.7%). Mean duration on the CPAP devices was 5.4 days, mean cost ₦37,645 ($104) or ₦6,971 ($20)/day, highest with IbCPAP, non-existent with concentrator bCPAP. CONCLUSION: The high running cost implication of CPAP use in low resource settings could deter transitioning to quality devices hence the need for non-oxygen dependent devices.

Cost-Effectiveness of Nasal High Flow Versus CPAP for Newborn Infants in Special-Care Nurseries.

BACKGROUND: Treating respiratory distress in newborns is expensive. We compared the cost-effectiveness of 2 common noninvasive therapies, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and nasal high-flow (nHF), for newborn infants cared for in nontertiary special care nurseries. METHODS: The economic evaluation was planned alongside a randomized control trial conducted in 9 Australian special care nurseries. Costs were considered from a hospital perspective until infants were 12 months of age. A total of 754 infants with respiratory distress, born ≥31 weeks' gestation and with birth weight ≥1200 g, <24 hours old, requiring noninvasive respiratory support and/or supplemental oxygen for >1 hour were recruited during 2015-2017. Inpatient costing records were obtained for 753 infants, of whom 676 were included in the per-protocol analysis. Two scenarios were considered: (1) CPAP versus nHF, with infants in the nHF group having "rescue" CPAP backup available (trial scenario); and (2) CPAP versus nHF, as sole primary support (hypothetical scenario). Effectiveness outcomes were rate of endotracheal intubation and transfer to a tertiary-level NICU. RESULTS: As sole primary support, CPAP is more effective and on average cheaper, and thus is superior. However, nHF with back-up CPAP produced equivalent cost and effectiveness results, and there is no reason to make a decision between the 2 treatments on the basis of the cost or effectiveness outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Nontertiary special care nurseries choosing to use only 1 of the modes should choose CPAP. In units with both modes available, using nHF as first-line therapy may be acceptable if there is back-up CPAP.

Experiences with implementation of continuous positive airway pressure for neonates and infants in low-resource settings: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard of care in providing non-invasive positive pressure support to neonates in respiratory distress in high-resource settings. While safety has been demonstrated in low-resource settings, there is a lack of knowledge on the barriers and facilitators to proper implementation. OBJECTIVE: To identify and describe the barriers, facilitators, and priorities for future implementation of CPAP for neonates and infants in low-resource settings. METHODS: A systematic search (database inception to March 6, 2020) was performed on MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Global Health, and the WHO Global Index Medicus using PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Original research articles pertaining to implementation of CPAP devices in low-resource settings, provider or parent perspectives and experiences with CPAP, cost-benefit analyses, and cost-effectiveness studies were included. Inductive content analysis was conducted. FINDINGS: 1385 article were screened and 54 studies across 19 countries met inclusion criteria. Six major themes emerged: device attributes, patient experiences, parent experiences, provider experiences, barriers, and facilitators. Nasal trauma was the most commonly reported complication. Barriers included unreliable electricity and lack of bioengineering support. Facilitators included training, mentorship and empowerment of healthcare providers. Device design, supply chain infrastructure, and training models were imperative to the adoption and sustainability of CPAP. CONCLUSION: Sustainable implementation of CPAP in low resource settings requires easy-to-use devices, ready access to consumables, and holistic, user-driven training. Further research is necessary on standardizing metrics, interventions that support optimal provider performance, and conditions needed for successful long-term health system integration.

Role of lung ultrasound in the assessment of recruitment maneuvers in ventilated preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome and its correlation with tracheal IL-6 levels: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study's aim is to evaluate lung ultrasound (LUS) efficacy in detecting opening and closing lung pressures and its correlation with the tracheal interleukin 6 (IL-6) level. METHOD: This single-blinded randomized controlled study was done at Ain Shams University Children's Hospital neonatal intensive care units, Egypt. It consists of 44 mechanically ventilated preterm neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). Initial LUS assessment was done followed by randomization to one of 2 groups; group I: 22 patients underwent LUS guided RM and group II: 22 patients underwent non-ultrasound guided RM. Tracheal IL-6 level was measured before and after RM in both groups. RESULTS: The LUS scores showed a sensitivity of 86.7%, specificity of 62.10% and accuracy of 70.45% at the cut-off point >B1 grade. After RM, there was a higher percentage of changes in mean airway pressure (p = 0.03), FiO2 (p = 0.01), PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p = 0.01), and IL-6 (p < 0.01) in group I. The duration of oxygen requirement (6 vs.13.5 days, p = 0.01), invasive ventilation (3 vs.5.5 days, p = 0.03), non-invasive ventilation (2.5 vs. 5 days, p = 0.02) and NICU stay (21.5 vs. 42.5 days, p = 0.03) were less in group I. A positive correlation is found between reaeration score and the duration of O2 requirement (p = 0.002), duration of invasive ventilation (p = 0.001), NICU length of stay (p = 0.002) and negative correlation with PaO2/FiO2 ratio before RM (p = 0.012). The best cut-off point for the reaeration score is >21 with a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 71.43% and area under the curve of 78.1%. CONCLUSION: LUS-guided RM achieved earlier lowest FiO2, shorter O2 dependency, lesser NICU stay and marked decrease in lung inflammation by decreasing atelectotrauma and shortening the duration of invasive ventilation.

Clinical and Economic Evaluation of the Impact of Midazolam on Morphine Therapy for Pain Relief in Critically Ill Ventilated Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The impact of midazolam on the overall performance of morphine therapy for pain in ventilated neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has never been investigated. OBJECTIVE: This study is a clinical and economic analysis of morphine monotherapy versus morphine plus midazolam in ventilated infants with RDS. METHODS: A decision-analytic model from the hospital perspective was developed to follow the consequences of the use of the study drugs. Clinical and resource utilization data were extracted based on a retrospective cohort study of 104 neonates with RDS receiving morphine alone versus in combination with midazolam at the main neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Qatar, from 2014 to 2019. Primary outcome measures were the analgesia success rate, via the Premature Infant Pain Profile scale, and overall costs of therapies. Multivariate statistical analyses confirmed no significant variations in baseline characteristics between study groups. RESULTS: With 0.05 significance and 80% power, morphine had a higher rate of successful analgesia (65.4 vs. 34.6%; risk ratio 1.91; 95% confidence interval 1.11-3.28; p = 0.019). Overall costs were also in favor of morphine compared with its combination with midazolam, with cost savings of 40,959 Qatari Riyal ($US11,222), year 2019/20 values. The Monte Carlo analyses confirmed the economic advantage of morphine alone in 100% of cases and demonstrated that it is not sensitive to uncertainties in study model inputs. CONCLUSIONS: Morphine monotherapy enabled enhanced pain relief over its combination with midazolam in the NICU, at a reduced overall cost. Morphine alone, therefore, seems to be a dominant analgesia strategy.

Síntesis rápida de evidencia: ventilación prona en síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo y COVID-19 / Use of ultraviolet light to disinfect hospital environments or surfaces in the context of SARS-CoV-2

INTRODUCCIÓN: La actual pandemia de COVID-19 esta presentando un grave problema de salud pública, debido a su impacto tanto en la salud como en la economía de los ciudadanos. Si bien esta enfermedad se puede presentar de manera leve o inclusive asintomática, aproximadamente el 17% de los pacientes pueden llegar a presentar edema pulmonar, falla multiorgánica, y síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo (SDRA), lo que amerita una suplementación de oxigeno invasiva. El síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo se define a traves de los criterios de Berlin, la cual aborda dimensiones como el tiempo, imagen de tórax, origen del edema, y la oxigenación. Se ha registrado que el 10% de los pacientes que ingresan a UCI pueden presentar SDRA, puediendo ser producido por sepsis y neumonía, con una mortalidad que varía entre el 30% y 40. Debido a la alta mortalidad en los pacientes que desarrollan SDRA, se ha evaluado la posibilidad de complementar el tratamiento estándar, basado en una ventilación mecánica a presión positiva, con otras forma posible para poder mejorar la oxigenación y sobrevivencia de los pacientes, en este caso surge la ventilación prona como una medida de bajo costo probablemente efectiva. La ventiación prona se basa en colocar al paciente en decúbito prono para mejorar el reclutamiento de las regiones dorsales pulmonares, aumentar el volumen final espiratorio, aumentar la expansión de la pared torácica, disminuir el shunt alveolar, y mejorar el volumen tidal. Ante la necesidad de establecer estrategias efectivas para mejorar la supervivencia en los pacientes COVID-19 que desarrollan SDRA, se realiza la presente síntesis rápida de evidencia sobre los artículos publicados que evalúen la efectividad y seguridad de la ventilación prona en los pacientes de SDRA, por cualquier etiología, y por COVID 19. MÉTODOS: Criterios de Elegibilidad: Criterios de Inclusion: Relacionados con el tema a tratar: Ventilación Prona en Síndrome de Distrés Respiratorio Agudo y/o COVID-19. En población Adulta. Tipos de estudio: Revisiones sistemáticas con o sin meta-análisis, y estudios observacionales. Idioma: Aquellos publicados en inglés, español. Publicados en los últimos 5 años. Criterios de Exclusion: Tipo de estudio: cartas al director, editoriales, comentarios, fichas técnicas e informes breves. RESULTADOS: Busqueda Bibliografica: Para la PICO 1 se identificó 56 revisiones sistemáticas (RS) publicadas como artículos científicos, de los cuales se excluyeron 27 mediante título y abstract por no abordar los criterios de la pregunta PICO, quedando un total de 29 RS. De estas se excluyeron 23, debido a que tuvieron un fecha de búsqueda de estudios mayor de 5 años, incluyéndose sólo 6 RS. Para la PICO 2 inicialmente se realizó una búsqueda de revisiones sistemáticas, dentro de la cual no se identificó algún estudio que repondiera a la pregunta planteada, por lo que se procedió a realizar la búsqueda de estudios primarios. En ella se identificaron 39 estudios primarios, de los cuales se excluyeron 32 mediante título y abstract, por no abordar los criterios de la pregunta PICO, quedando un total de 6 estudios. De estos se excluyeron 4 debido a que no hacían las comparaciones entre la intevención y comparador o correspondían a un reporte de caso. Finalmente se incluyó sólo 2 estudios observacionales para la síntensis de evidencia. Evaluacion de Calidad: Se realizó una evaluación de la calidad de las revisiones sitemáticas utilizando la herramienta AMSTAR-2. De las 6 evaluadas, 1 tuvo una confianza alta, 3 moderada, y 2 tuvieron confianza baja o criticamente baja. Así mismo, la evaluación de los estudios no experimentales se realizó mediante el instrumento ROBINS-I, donde se evidenció un alto riesgo de sesgo para ambos estudios incluídos. Estudios que Evaluan Pacientes con Sdra y uso de Ventilación Prona: Para la PICO 1 se incluyeron seis revisiones sistemáticas, de las cuales sólo se selecionaron dos para la síntesis de evidencia, debido a que realizaban un análisis más complejo que abordaba la comparación de la ventilación prona con todas las estrategias ventilatorias. Se seleccionaron la RS con network meta-analisis de Wang 2016 (5) y Aoyama 2019. CONCLUSIONE: Pacientes con Sdra y uso de Ventilación Prona: El uso de la ventilación prona en SDRA tiene una base científica bastante grande, la cual se ha venido desarrollando y actualizando con el tiempo, que sugieren beneficios en aspectos de mortalidad frente a otras terapias ventilarias o en combinaciones. Se concluye que la ventilación prona disminuye la mortalidad a los 28 días efectividad cuando se compara con VMO ECMO y LPV en pacientes con SDRA moderado a severo y SDRA severo, respectivamente (evita 170 y 124 muertes más en 1000 pacientes, respectivamente). Así mismo, al combinar estrategias, la LVT+FiO2-HPEEP más la posición prona es considerada como una posible estrategias de ventilación óptima para pacientes con SDRA. No existe diferencias estadísticamente signficativas entre el uso de ventilación prona y otras estrategias de ventilación en cuanto a la seguridad para el riesgo de barotrauma en pacientes con SDRA. Los estudios seleccionados no han abordado otros outcomes de seguridad como las úlceras por presión y las movilizaciones del tubo orotraqueal, las cuales son las complicaciones más frecuentes reportadas en los pacientes que utilizan ventilación prona. Sólo un estudio ha diferenciado según la severidad del SDRA, incluyendo pacientes con SDRA de severidad moderada a severa y severa. Sin embargo, en ambos casos tuvieron una mayor proporción estudios con pacientes con SDRA severo. Por lo que es necesario la realización de futuros estudios que aborden o que hagan distinción de los resultados según subgrupos de severidad. Pacientes con Covid-19 y uso de Ventilación Prona: No se han encontrado ensayos clínicos aleatorizados que aborden la efectividad el uso de ventilación prona en pacientes COVID-19. Se han identificado dos estudios primarios tipo series de casos que han evaluado los cambios en la saturación de oxígeno, PaO2/FiO2, y compliance pulmonar antes y posterior al uso ventilación de prona. Los estudios incluidos presentan algunas limitaciones como que no han abordado outcomes de seguridad (como eventos adversos, etc.), presentan un alto riesgo de sesgo general, y sólo han includio muestras pequeñas de pacientes (<100 participantes). Así mismo, no han realizado un análisis estadístico ajustado por confusores. Ambos estudios sólo han reportado sus resultados descriptivamente, y en un caso se ha realizado una prueba de hipótesis. Con la evidencia disponible no es posible determinar la eficacia ni la seguridad del uso de la ventilación prona en pacientes con COVID-19.

Semiquantitative Ultrasound Assessment of Lung Aeration Correlates With Lung Tissue Inflammation.

We studied the relationship between ultrasound-assessed lung aeration and inflammation in a particular population of ventilated preterm neonates with mild-to-moderate lung inflammation and no congenital heart defect. Lung aeration estimated by a semiquantitative lung ultrasound score significantly correlated with several inflammatory markers both at cellular (neutrophil count in bronchoalveolar lavage: ρ = 0.400, p = 0.018) and molecular level (total proteins: ρ = 0.524, p = 0.021; interleukine-8: ρ = 0.523, p = 0.021; granulocytes-macrophages colony stimulating factor: ρ = 0.493, p = 0.020; all measured in bronchoalveolar lavage and expressed as epithelial lining fluid concentrations). Lung ultrasound might detect changes in lung aeration attributable to mild-to-moderate local inflammation if cardiogenic lung edema is excluded. Thus, it is possible to describe some levels of lung inflammation with semiquantitative lung ultrasound.

[Born a few weeks too early; does it matter?] / Att födas några veckor för tidigt ­ spelar det någon roll?

Late and moderately preterm infants, born between 32+0/7 and 36+6/7 gestational weeks, comprise more than 80 % of all preterm infants and account for almost 40 % of all days of neonatal care. While their total number of days of care has not changed, an increasing part of their neonatal stay (from 29 % in 2011 to 41 % in 2017) is now within home care programmes. Late and moderate preterm birth is often complicated by respiratory disorders, hyperbilirubinemia, hypothermia and feeding difficulties. These infants also have an increased risk of perinatal death and neurologic complications. In the long run, they have higher risks of cognitive impairment, neuropsychiatric diagnoses and need for asthma medication. As young adults, they have a lower educational level and a lower average salary than their full-term counterparts. They also have an increased risk of long-term sick leave, disability pension and need for economic assistance from society.

Reducing preterm mortality in eastern Uganda: the impact of introducing low-cost bubble CPAP on neonates <1500 g.

BACKGROUND: Complications of prematurity are the leading cause of deaths in children under the age of five. The predominant reason for these preterm deaths is respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In low-income countries (LICs) there are limited treatment options for RDS. Due to their simplicity and affordability, low-cost bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) devices have been introduced in neonatal units in LICs to treat RDS. This study is the first observational study from a LIC to compare outcomes of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) neonates in pre- and post-CPAP periods. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of VLBW neonates (weight < 1500 g) in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital Neonatal Unit (MRRH-NNU), a government hospital in eastern Uganda. It aimed to measure the outcome of VLBW neonates in two distinct study periods: A 14-month period beginning at the opening of MRRH-NNU and covering the period until bCPAP was introduced (pre-bCPAP) and an 18-month period following the introduction of bCPAP (post-bCPAP). After the introduction of bCPAP, it was applied to preterm neonates with RDS when clinically indicated and if a device was available. Clinical features and outcomes of all neonates < 1500 g were compared before and after the introduction of bCPAP. RESULTS: The admission records of 377 VLBW neonates < 1500 g were obtained. One hundred fifty-eight were admitted in the pre-bCPAP period and 219 in the post-bCPAP period. The mortality rate in the pre- bCPAP period was 39.2% (62/158) compared with 26.5% (58/219, P = 0.012) in the post-bCPAP period. Overall, there was a 44% reduction in mortality (OR 0.56, 95%CI 0.36-0.86, P = 0.01). There were no differences in birthweight, sex, presence of signs of respiratory distress or apnoea between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Specialized and resource-appropriate neonatal care, that appropriately addresses the challenges of healthcare provision in LICs, has the potential to reduce neonatal deaths. The use of a low-cost bCPAP to treat RDS in VLBW neonates resulted in a significant improvement in their survival in a neonatal unit in eastern Uganda. Since RDS is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality, it is possible that this relatively simple and affordable intervention could have a huge impact on global neonatal mortality.

Evaluating the efficacy of Seattle-PAP for the respiratory support of premature neonates: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: At birth, the majority of neonates born at <30 weeks of gestation require respiratory support to facilitate transition and ensure adequate gas exchange. Although the optimal approach to the initial respiratory management is uncertain, the American Academy of Pediatrics endorses noninvasive respiratory support with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) for premature neonates with respiratory insufficiency. Despite evidence for its use, nCPAP failure, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation, is common. Recently, investigators have described a novel method to deliver bubble nCPAP, termed Seattle-PAP. While preclinical and pilot studies are encouraging regarding the potential value of Seattle-PAP, a large trial is needed to compare Seattle-PAP directly with the current standard of care for bubble nCPAP (Fisher & Paykel CPAP or FP-CPAP). METHODS/DESIGN: We designed a multicenter, non-blinded, randomized controlled trial that will enroll 230 premature infants (220/7 to 296/7 weeks of gestation). Infants will be randomized to receive Seattle-PAP or FP-CPAP. The primary outcome is respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes include measures of short- and long-term respiratory morbidity and cost-effectiveness. DISCUSSION: This trial will assess whether Seattle-PAP is more efficacious and cost-effective than FP-CPAP in real-world practice among premature neonates. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03085329 . Registered on 21 March 2017.

Risk and benefits of Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for neonatal and childhood respiratory diseases in Low- and Middle-Income countries.

Over 80% of the global burden of childhood deaths occur in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). Of the leading causes of death, respiratory failure is common to the top three. Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (bCPAP) is a standard therapy considered safe and cost effective in high resource settings. Although high-quality trials from LMIC are few, pooled available trial data considered alongside studies from high-income countries suggest that bCPAP: (i) reduces mortality; (ii) reduces the need for mechanical ventilation; and (iii) prevents extubation failure. Wider availability and optimal use at all levels of the health care system in LMIC are important steps to improve childhood survival. Studies aimed at effectively implementing, and sustaining safe use of bCPAP in the resource limited setting of LMIC are required.

Assessment of resistance of nasal continuous positive airway pressure interfaces.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the resistance of interfaces used for the delivery of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in neonates, as measured by the generated system pressure at fixed gas flows, in an in vitro setting. DESIGN: Gas flows of 6, 8 and 10 L/min were passed through three sizes of each of a selection of available neonatal nasal CPAP interfaces (Hudson prong, RAM Cannula, Fisher & Paykel prong, Infant Flow prong, Fisher & Paykel mask, Infant Flow mask). The expiratory limb was occluded and pressure differential measured using a calibrated pressure transducer. RESULTS: Variation in resistance, assessed by mean pressure differential, was seen between CPAP interfaces. Binasal prong interfaces typically had greater resistance at the smallest assessed sizes, and with higher gas flows. However, Infant Flow prongs produced low pressures (<1.5 cmH2O) at all sizes and gas flows. RAM Cannula had a high resistance, producing a pressure >4.5 cmH2O at all sizes and gas flows. Both nasal mask interfaces had low resistance at all assessed sizes and gas flows, with recorded pressure <1 cmH2O in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable variation in measured resistance of available CPAP interfaces at gas flows commonly applied in clinical neonatal care. Use of interfaces with high resistance may result in a greater drop in delivered airway pressure in comparison to set circuit pressure, which may have implications for clinical efficacy. Device manufacturers and clinicians should consider CPAP interface resistance prior to introduction into routine clinical care.

Resource utilization patterns using non-invasive ventilation in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the frequency of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and endotracheal intubation use in neonates diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS); to describe resources utilization (length of stay (LOS), charges, costs) among NIV and intubated RDS groups. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study from the national Kid's Inpatient Database of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, for the years 1997-2012. Propensity scoring and multivariate regression analysis used to describe differences. RESULTS: A total of 595,254 out of 42,912,090 cases were identified with RDS. There was an increase in NIV use from 6% in 1997 to 17% in 2012. After matching, patients receiving NIV only were associated with shorter LOS: (95%CI) 25 (25.3,25.7) vs. 35 (34.2,34.9) days, decreased costs: ($/1k) 46.1 (45.5,46.8) vs. 65.0 (64.1,66.0), decreased charges: 130.3 (128.6,132.1) vs. 192.1 (189.5,194.6) compared to intubated neonates. CONCLUSION: There was a three-fold increase in NIV use within the 15-year study period. NIV use was associated with decreased LOS, charges and costs compared to intubated patients.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Versus Nasal High Flow Therapy as Primary Support for Infants Born Preterm.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cost-effectiveness of 2 common "noninvasive" modes of respiratory support for infants born preterm. STUDY DESIGN: An economic evaluation was conducted as a component of a multicenter, randomized control trial from 2013 to 2015 enrolling infants born preterm at ≥28 weeks of gestation with respiratory distress, <24 hours old, who had not previously received endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation or surfactant. The economic evaluation was conducted from a healthcare sector perspective and the time horizon was from birth until death or first discharge. The cost-effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) vs high-flow with "rescue" CPAP backup and high-flow without rescue CPAP backup (as sole primary support) were analyzed by using the hospital cost of inpatient stay in a tertiary center and the rates of endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation during admission. RESULTS: Hospital inpatient cost records for 435 infants enrolled in all Australian centers were obtained. With "rescue" CPAP backup, an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated of A$179 000 (US$123 000) per ventilation avoided if CPAP was used compared with high flow. Without rescue CPAP backup, cost per ventilation avoided was A$7000 (US$4800) if CPAP was used compared with high flow. CONCLUSIONS: As sole primary support, CPAP is highly likely to be cost-effective compared with high flow. Neonatal units choosing to use only one device should apply CPAP as primary respiratory support. Compared with high-flow with rescue CPAP backup, CPAP is unlikely to be cost-effective if willingness to pay per ventilation avoided is less than A$179 000 (US$123 000).

Evaluation of a Low-Cost Bubble CPAP System Designed for Resource-Limited Settings.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory compromise is a leading contributor to global neonatal death. CPAP is a method of treatment that helps maintain lung volume during expiration, promotes comfortable breathing, and improves oxygenation. Bubble CPAP is an effective alternative to standard CPAP. We sought to determine the reliability and functionality of a low-cost bubble CPAP device designed for low-resource settings. METHODS: The low-cost bubble CPAP device was compared to a commercially available bubble CPAP system. The devices were connected to a lung simulator that simulated neonates of 4 different weights with compromised respiratory mechanics (∼1, ∼3, ∼5, and ∼10 kg). The devices' abilities to establish and maintain pressure and flow under normal conditions as well as under conditions of leak were compared. Multiple combinations of pressure levels (5, 8, and 10 cm H2O) and flow levels (3, 6, and 10 L/min) were tested. The endurance of both devices was also tested by running the systems continuously for 8 h and measuring the changes in pressure and flow. RESULTS: Both devices performed equivalently during the no-leak and leak trials. While our testing revealed individual differences that were statistically significant and clinically important (>10% difference) within specific CPAP and flow-level settings, no overall comparisons of CPAP or flow were both statistically significant and clinically important. Each device delivered pressures similar to the desired pressures, although the flows delivered by both machines were lower than the set flows in most trials. During the endurance trials, the low-cost device was marginally better at maintaining pressure, while the commercially available device was better at maintaining flow. CONCLUSIONS: The low-cost bubble CPAP device evaluated in this study is comparable to a bubble CPAP system used in developed settings. Extensive clinical trials, however, are necessary to confirm its effectiveness.

Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes in Neonates Diagnosed With Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a Low-Income Country: A Report From Bangladesh.

Respiratory distress syndrome remains a leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide. This retrospective study describes practice patterns for respiratory distress syndrome in a resource-limited setting and seeks to identify both risk factors for mortality and beneficial treatment modalities. Health, demographic, and treatment data were collected. Potential associations were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Of 104 children included for analysis, 38 died. Although most children were initially treated with noninvasive respiratory support, 59 progressed to invasive ventilation. Requirement for invasive ventilation was associated with death. A clear trend toward improved survival in mechanically ventilated patients was seen with surfactant administration.

Respiratory distress in term neonates in low-resource settings.

Most neonatal deaths worldwide occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Respiratory distress is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The epidemiology of respiratory distress among term neonates who constitute the vast majority of births is under reported. The scarcely available data from LMICs suggest an incidence of 1.2% to 7.2% among term live births and greater morbidity compared to that in high-income countries. Pneumonia and meconium aspiration syndrome are the predominant causes among outborn neonates, but next only to transient tachypnea among inborn neonates. Community management of neonatal sepsis/pneumonia using simplified antibiotic regimens when referral is not feasible, implementation of non-invasive ventilation, and innovative low-cost technologies to deliver respiratory therapy are important advances that have taken place in these settings. There is an urgent need to generate data on respiratory morbidities among term neonates so that the limited resources in these settings can be allocated judiciously.

Prospective economic evaluation alongside the non-invasive ventilation trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost-effectiveness of nasal continuous positive pressure (nCPAP) compared with nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in the context of the reported randomized clinical trial. STUDY DESIGN: Using patient-level data from the clinical trial, we undertook a prospectively planned economic evaluation. We measured costs, from a third-party payer perspective in all patients, and from a societal perspective in a subgroup with a time horizon through the earlier of discharge, death or 44 weeks post-menstrual age. RESULTS: From the third-party payer perspective, the mean cost of hospitalization per infant was statistically similar, $143 745 in the NIPPV group compared to $140 403 in the nCPAP group. Cost-effectiveness evaluation revealed a 61% probability that NIPPV is more expensive and less effective than nCPAP. Similar results were found in subgroup analysis from a societal perspective. CONCLUSION: In addition to being clinically equivalent, economic evaluation confirms that NIPPV, as employed in this trial, is also not economically favorable.