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Work of breathing using high-flow nasal cannula in preterm infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 26, pages 476–480 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To compare the work of breathing (WOB) in premature neonates supported with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP).

Study Design:

Eighteen preterm neonates <2.0 kg on HFNC or NCPAP support were studied in a random order. A ventilator was used to deliver 6 cm H2O of NCPAP with nasal prongs. High-flow nasal cannula delivered with Vapotherm (VAPO) at 3, 4 and 5 l/min was used. Tidal ventilation was obtained using respiratory inductance plethysmography calibrated with face-mask pneumotachography. An esophageal balloon estimated pleural pressure from which changes in end distending pressure were calculated. Inspiratory, elastic and resistive WOB and respiratory parameters were calculated.

Results:

No differences were found in the WOB for all settings. Changes in end distending pressure did not vary significantly over all device settings except VAPO at 5 l/min.

Conclusion:

In these preterm infants with mild respiratory illness, HFNC provided support comparable to NCPAP.

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Acknowledgements

This study was conducted at Cooper University Hospital. Equipment support was provided by Vapotherm Inc., Stevensville, Maryland. None of the authors received any goods or money from Vapotherm, or hold any stock in this company. This work was presented in part at the Society for Pediatric Research/Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting in Washington, DC, May 2005.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, The Children's Regional Hospital at Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ, USA

    J G Saslow, Z H Aghai, T A Nakhla, J J Hart, R Lawrysh, G E Stahl & K H Pyon

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden, NJ, USA

    J G Saslow, Z H Aghai, T A Nakhla, G E Stahl & K H Pyon

Authors
  1. J G Saslow
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  2. Z H Aghai
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  4. J J Hart
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  5. R Lawrysh
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  6. G E Stahl
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  7. K H Pyon
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Correspondence to J G Saslow.

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Saslow, J., Aghai, Z., Nakhla, T. et al. Work of breathing using high-flow nasal cannula in preterm infants. J Perinatol 26, 476–480 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211530

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