An Innovative Air-Oxygen Blender for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Support in Resource-Poor Locations: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

The objectives of this study are (i) to evaluate the feasibility of using an inexpensive air pump to maintain reliable oxygen concentration in a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system and (ii) to evaluate whether an inexpensive air pump can maintain infant 02 sats >90%. This prospective study, which included 19 babies in pilot phase and 90 during extension phase, was conducted at a neonatal intensive care unit in a resource-poor academic medical center in India. The intervention involved introduction of an air pump in the CPAP delivery system. Outcome measures were oxygen concentration in the air-oxygen blend and oxygen saturation of the study babies. Oxygen concentration at the outlets ranged between 56 and 70% and in the blend between 42 and 51%. Oxygen saturation ranged between 90 and 97%. A simple and inexpensive air pump can work as a safe and effective oxygen blender.