HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Read responses to this article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in ADC Online Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Owen, L. S Articles by Davis, P. G Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Owen, L. S Articles by Davis, P. G

Neonatal nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation: what do we know in 2007?

Neonatal Services, Royal Women’s Hospital, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

Correspondence to:
Dr Louise Owen, Neonatal Research Fellow, Royal Women’s Hospital, Grattan Street, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia; louise.owen{at}rwh.org.au

ABSTRACT
Although neonatal nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is widely used today, its place in neonatal respiratory support is yet to be fully defined. Current evidence indicates that NIPPV after extubation of very premature infants reduces the rate of reintubation. However, much is still not known about NIPPV including its mechanisms of action. It may improve pulmonary mechanisms, tidal volume and minute ventilation but more studies are required to confirm these findings. There is some evidence that NIPPV marginally improves gas exchange. More research is needed to establish which device is best, what settings to use or whether to use synchronised rather than non-synchronised NIPPV, and about the way to wean NIPPV. Future studies should enrol sufficient infants to detect uncommon serious complications and include long-term follow up to determine important neurodevelopment and pulmonary outcomes.

Keywords: nasal ventilation; NIPPV; non-invasive; neonatal; respiratory

eLetters: