Trial of Weaning of Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Randomized Controlled Trial of Gradual Versus Sudden Weaning From Nasal CPAP in Preterm Neonates

To compare the 2 methods of weaning of nasal CPAP in premature babies born at 32 weeks or less

Objective: To study the weight and the post menstrual age (PMA) at the time of nasal CPAP (NCPAP) wean utilizing the method of sudden wean as compared to gradual wean. . Methods: A prospective randomized trial was conducted comparing sudden weaning with gradual weaning from NCPAP in neonates with gestational age (GA) <32 weeks. The patients were randomized to one of the two methods of weaning from NCPAP and their success was compared.

Inclusion Criteria:

All babies born with GA <32 weeks admitted to the neonatal intensive care units at the Maimonides Infant and Children's Hospital, between 1st January 2008 and 31st March 2009 and required to be on NCPAP for longer than 48 hours.-

Exclusion Criteria:

Those with severe congenital anomalies and chromosomal defects including congenital heart disease and neurological malformations, chest wall or airway abnormalities and lung hypoplasia, were excluded from the cohort