Noninvasive respiratory support during interhospital transfer of newborns: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Noninvasive respiratory support is a crucial component of neonatal respiratory disorders therapy. The nCPAP (nasal continuous positive airway pressure) is recommended for respiratory support of a premature. There is no consensus on criteria for non-invasive respiratory support for newborns during transfer, the recommendations are empirical. OBJECTIVE: To study the possibility of using nCPAP during pre-transport preparation and transfer of newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cohort, retrospective study included data on 70 cases of newborns evacuation performed by the transport team (July 1, 2014 — December 31, 2018) to patients who were on nCPAP at the time of the transport team examination in the initial institution. The initial sample was divided into a group of patients transported on ventilation (n = 22) and a group of patients transported on nCPAP (n = 47), respiratory support was discontinued in one case. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed between the FiO2 (34 [30–45] % and 30 [21–30] %, the first and second groups, respectively, p = 0.002) and the saturation index of oxygenation (2.1 [1.6–2.6] and 1.53 [1.3–1.8]) the first and second groups, respectively, p = 0.001). The saturation index of oxygenation has an acceptable predictive value for tracheal intubation during pre-transport preparation (AUC 0.799 [0.682–0.917]). During transfer, one patient of the second group required tracheal intubation (2.1 [0.1–11.3] %). Upon admission, one patient of the second was intubated (2.2 [0.1–11.5] %), no other correction of the parameters of noninvasive support was required for patients of the second group. CONCLUSIONS: The main criterion for intubation at the stage of pre-transport preparation is oxygen requirement during the nCPAP. The saturation oxygenation index (AUC 0.799 [0.682–0.917]) and the SpO2/FiO2 ratio (AUC 0.803 [0.687–0.919]) have an acceptable predictive value for tracheal intubation. The probability of intubation during transportation is 2.1 (0.1–11.3) %.