RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN NEONATOLOGY 

Minerva Pediatrica 2008 April;60(2):177-82

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Mechanical ventilatory support in preterm infants

Claure N., Bancalari E.

Division of Neonatology Department of Pediatrics University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

A large proportion of premature infants presents with acute respiratory failure after birth and require mechanical ventilatory support. In addition to conventional mechanical ventilation, an increasing number of these infants are currently supported by newer modes including synchronized, volume targeted and noninvasive mechanical ventilation. While these new modes have improved weaning from mechanical ventilation they have not had a consistent impact on respiratory outcome or other morbidities. This is a review of the different modes of invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation used to support premature infants with respiratory failure.