Risk factors for treatment failure of heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula as initial respiratory support for preterm infants.

Abstract

To study the risk factors for treatment failure of heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) as initial respiratory support for preterm infants. A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of the preterm infants who were admitted from January 2018 to April 2021 and received HHHFNC for initial respiratory support after birth. According to whether it was necessary to upgrade to noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure or invasive mechanical ventilation within 72 hours after treatment, they were divided into a failure group and a success group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors for failure of HHHFNC as initial respiratory support. A total of 166 preterm infants were included, among whom 48 (28.9%) experienced the treatment failure of HHHNFC as initial respiratory support. The univariate analysis showed that compared with the success group with 118 infants, the failure group had significantly lower gestational age and birth weight and a significantly higher proportion of infants with fraction of inspired oxygen >35%, flow rate >6 L/minute, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), or use of pulmonary surfactant (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age <32 weeks, PDA (>1.5 mm and left atrium/aorta diameter ratio >1.4), fraction of inspired oxygen >35%, flow rate >6 L/minute, and presence of RDS were risk factors for the treatment failure of HHHNFC as initial respiratory support (P<0.05). The preterm infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks or the presence of RDS tend to have a high risk of failure of HHHNFC as initial respiratory support. The risk of failure of HHHFNC as initial respiratory support increases in infants with oxygen concentration >35% and/or flow rate >6 L/minute, or the presence of PDA, suggesting an upgrade of respiratory support should be considered. Citation.