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The standard of care in treating respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants is respiratory support with nasal continuous positive airway pressure or a combination of continuous positive airway pressure and exogenous surfactant replacement. Endotracheal intubation, the conventional method for surfactant administration, is an invasive procedure associated with procedural and mechanical ventilation complications. The INSURE (intubation, surfactant administration, and extubation soon after) technique is an accepted method aimed at reducing the short-term complications and long-term morbidities related to mechanical ventilation but does not eliminate risks associated with endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Alternative methods of surfactant delivery that can overcome the problems associated with the INSURE technique are surfactant through a laryngeal mask, surfactant through a thin intratracheal catheter, and aerosolized surfactant delivered using nebulizers. The three alternative methods of surfactant delivery studied in the last two decades have advantages and limitations. More than a dozen randomized controlled trials have aimed to study the benefits of the three alternative techniques of surfactant delivery compared with INSURE as the control arm, with promising results in terms of reduction in mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The need to find a less invasive surfactant administration technique is a clinically relevant problem. Before broader adoption in routine clinical practice, the most beneficial technique among the three alternative strategies should be identified. This review aims to summarize the current evidence for using the three alternative techniques of surfactant administration in neonates, compare the three techniques, highlight the knowledge gaps, and suggest future directions. Key Points The need to find a less invasive alternative method of surfactant delivery is a clinically relevant problem. Clinical trials that have studied alternative surfactant delivery methods have shown promising results but are inconclusive for broader adoption into clinical practice. Future studies should explore novel clinical trial methodologies and select clinically significant long term outcomes for comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Both high altitude and trisomy 21 (T21) status can negatively impact respiratory outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine the association between altitude and perinatal respiratory support in neonates with T21 compared with those without T21. Study Design This retrospective cohort study used the United States all-county natality files that included live, singleton, in-hospital births from 2015 to 2019. Descriptive statistics for neonates with and without the primary outcome of sustained assisted ventilation (>6 hours) were compared using t -tests and Chi-squared analyses. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between respiratory support and the presence of T21, and included an interaction term to determine whether the association between respiratory support and the presence of T21 was modified by elevation at delivery. Results A total of 17,939,006 neonates, 4,059 (0.02%) with T21 and 17,934,947 (99.98%) without, were included in the study. The odds of requiring sustained respiratory support following delivery were 5.95 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.31, 6.66), 4.06 (95% CI: 2.39, 6.89), 2.36 (95% CI: 1.64, 3.40), and 5.04 (95% CI: 1.54, 16.54) times as high for neonates with T21 than without T21 when born at low, medium, high, and very high elevations, respectively. The odds of requiring immediate ventilation support following delivery were 5.01 (95% CI: 4.59, 5.46), 5.90 (95% CI: 4.16, 8.36), 2.86 (95% CI: 2.15, 3.80), and 12.08 (95% CI: 6.78, 21.51) times as high for neonates with T21 than without T21 when born at low, medium, high, and very high elevation, respectively. Conclusion Neonates with T21 have increased odds of requiring respiratory support following delivery when compared with neonates without T21 at all categories of altitude. However, the odds ratios did not increase monotonically with altitude which indicates additional research is critical in understanding the effects of altitude on neonates with T21. Key Points Neonates with T21 have an increased need for perinatal respiratory support at all altitudes. The odds of needing perinatal respiratory support did not increase monotonically with elevation. Additional research is critical to understanding the effects of altitude on neonates with T21. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has emerged as an alternative surfactant delivery method. The effectiveness of this method for the delivery of surfactant is uncertain. A meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing LMA with standard methods of surfactant delivery for the outcomes of surfactant dose repetition, oxygen requirement, mechanical ventilation, intubation, mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and pneumothorax. Study Design  Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Homogeneity between studies was analyzed by using I 2 statistics. Risk ratio or mean difference of outcomes was assessed from random effects models. Subgroup analyses were conducted when necessary. Data sources are as follows: Ovid Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials from inception till December 2018, bibliographies of identified reviews and trial registries for ongoing studies. RCTs comparing short-term respiratory outcomes in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome who were administered surfactant through an LMA versus standard method of care. Results  Six RCTs were identified, enrolling a total of 357 infants. Administering surfactant via LMA was associated with decreased FiO 2 requirement (mean difference = 1.82 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −6.01–9.66), decreased intubation (risk ratio [RR] = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.05–0.57), and decreased mechanical ventilation (RR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.31–0.61). There were no significant differences between groups for death, BPD, or pneumothorax. Conclusion  LMA might be an effective alternative method of surfactant delivery; however, further high-quality RCTs with larger sample size and including extreme preterm infants are needed to establish LMA as an alternative technique for surfactant delivery. Key Points Pulmonary surfactants reduce mortality and pulmonary air leaks in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. Preterm lungs are at risk of volutrauma by mechanical ventilation; laryngoscopy is still traumatic. Surfactant administration via LMA to avoid mechanical ventilation and intubation might be feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  This study aimed to determine the accuracy of neonatal lung ultrasound (LUS) in predicting the need for surfactant therapy compared with chest X-ray (CXR) in preterm infants. Study Design  A prospective double-blind study was conducted in infants with a gestational age <34 weeks with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) by evaluation with LUS and CXR on admission. Results  Among 45 preterm infants, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) LUS score was 4 (2–8) in the mild RDS group, whereas it was 10 (IQR: 9–12) in the severe RDS group (p  < 0.01). The LUS score showed a significant correlation with the need for total surfactant doses (ρ  = 0.855; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.801–0.902; p  < 0.001). A cut-off LUS score of four predicted the need for surfactant with 96% sensitivity and 100% specificity (area under the curve [AUC]: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.97–1.00; p  < 0.01). LUS scores predicted continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) failure accurately (AUC: 0.804; 95% CI: 0.673–0.935; p  = 0.001). A significant correlation was observed between LUS scores and positive end-expiratory pressure levels (ρ  = 0.782; p  < 0.001). During the study period, the CXR number per infant with RDS decreased significantly when compared with preceding months (p  < 0.001). The LUS score in the first day of life did not predict the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (AUC: 0.274; 95% CI: 0.053–0.495; p  = 0.065). Conclusion  The LUS score in preterm infants accurately predicts the severity of RDS, the need for surfactant and CPAP failure. The routine use of LUS can decrease the frequency of CXRs in the neonatal intensive care units. Key Points LUS is a nonhazardous bedside technique. LUS predicts the need for surfactant in preterm infants. LUS predicts the severity of RDS better than CXR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  The optimal noninvasive ventilation (NIV) modality in the treatment of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is still unknown. The aim of this study was to compare nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) versus bi-level CPAP in the treatment of TTN. Study Design  This was a prospective randomized study that was conducted in a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit of Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital during the 1-year period between April 2017 and March 2018. The study included infants at ≥34 gestational weeks and birth weight ≥2,000 g who were diagnosed with TTN. The patients were randomized to either NCPAP or bi-level CPAP groups as initial respiratory support. The primary outcome was the rate of NIV failure. Results  A total of 151 infants were incorporated into the study. The intubation rate was significantly higher in the NCPAP group (15/75) compared with the bi-level CPAP group (6/76) (p  = 0.032). There was a significant decrease in the level of pCO 2 at the 12 (60.7 ± 6.7 vs. 66.3 ± 8.8, p  = 0.017) and 24 (50 ± 8 vs. 53 ± 10, p  = 0.028) hours of NIV in the bi-level CPAP group compared with the NCPAP group. Duration of NIV, total respiratory support, hospital stay, and the incidence of pneumothorax were similar between the groups. Conclusion  Bi-level CPAP reduced the rate of NIV failure and pCO 2 levels at the 12 and 24 hours in late preterm and term infants with a diagnosis of TTN. Key Points Bi-level CPAP seems to be a safe and effective method in TTN. Bi-level CPAP may reduce the rate of NIV failure in late preterm and term infants with TTN. Future studies are warranted to answer the question whether bi-level CPAP might be used as a standard treatment in babies with TTN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  Endotracheal intubation is a frequent procedure performed in neonates with respiratory distress. Clinicians use different methods to estimate the intubation insertion depth, but, unfortunately, the improper insertion results are very high. In this study, we aimed to compare the two different methods (Tochen's formula = weight in kilograms + 6 cm; and nasal septum–tragus length [NTL] + 1 cm) used to determine the endotracheal tube (ETT) insertion depth. Study Design  Infants who had intubation indications were enrolled in this study. The intubation tube was fixed using the Tochen formula (Tochen group) or the NTL + 1 cm formula (NTL group). After intubation, the chest radiograph was evaluated (above T1, proper place, and below T2). Results  A total of 167 infants (22–42 weeks of gestational age) were included in the study. The proper tube placement rate in both groups was similar (32.4 vs. 30.4% for infants < 34 weeks of gestational age and 56.8 vs. 45.0% in infants > 34 weeks of gestational age). The ETT was frequently placed below T2 at a higher rate in infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks, especially in the NTL group (46% in the Tochen group and 60.7% in the NTL group). Conclusion  The NTL + 1 cm formula led to a higher rate of ETT placement below T2, especially in infants with a birth weight of <1,500 g. Therefore, more studies are needed to determine the optimal ETT insertion depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  Among neonates of 22 to 29 weeks' gestational age (GA) who required mechanical ventilation for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and clinically diagnosed pulmonary hypertension (PH), we tested our hypothesis that the association between early treatment with inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and survival would vary according to birth size and GA. Study Design  Because iNO was not randomly prescribed to patients in this cohort, we used propensity score matching to pair a neonate who received iNO at a chronological age of ≤7 days with an unexposed neonate with similar baseline characteristics. The primary outcome was inhospital mortality, which we evaluated based on size for GA and GA strata using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results  Among 1,531 neonates who met study criteria, we created a propensity score matched cohort of 615 pairs of neonates (iNO-exposed and unexposed). The risk of inhospital mortality for iNO-exposed neonates was observed only in the minority (<10%) who were large for GA, though this finding did not persist when matching for illness severity. Conclusion  Early treatment with iNO is not associated with survival in most extremely premature neonates with RDS and clinically diagnosed PH when stratified for birth size or GA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background  The application of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) modalities from birth in the delivery room (DR) during fetal–neonatal transition reduces the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, mortality, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The use of a RAM nasal cannula (RAM NC) in the DR for resuscitation results in less need for intubation, chest compressions, and epinephrine administration when compared with using a face mask for PPV in the DR. Objective  To evaluate the need for endotracheal intubation in the DR among extremely low gestational age neonates treated at birth with sustained inflation (SI) followed by a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) (range: 6–8 cm of H 2 O) delivered through the RAM NC. Study Design  A retrospective study was conducted to compare the use of NIV techniques in the DR and the need for intubation in the DR in premature infants 23 to 28 weeks' gestational age from December 2016 to July 2018 (group A). These data were compared with those of premature inborn infants with similar GA born between April 2015 and November 2016 (group B). In the DR, immediately after birth, neonates in group A received SI through RAM NC followed by CPAP ranging from 6 to 8 cm H 2 O, whereas the neonates in group B were treated in the DR with SI administered through a face mask followed by the application of CPAP of 5 cm H 2 O delivered through a nasopharyngeal tube. Results  A total of 65 preterm infants 23 to 28 weeks of gestational age, 31 in group A and 34 in group B, were included in the study. The percentage of neonates intubated in the DR was significantly lower in group A (p  < 0.008). In both groups, no neonates died in the DR, and no one required epinephrine and/or chest compressions. For those neonates who did not require intubation in the DR, there was no significant difference in the average FiO 2 on arrival in the neonatal intensive care unit, rate of intubation within 24 hours, and use of surfactant. The incidence of BPD was similar in the two groups. Only one infant in group A developed moderate BPD, and no one needed oxygen and/or ventilatory assistance at discharge. Mortality was similar in the two groups, with a slight prevalence in group B (27.7 vs. 19.2%). Conclusion  SI with RAM NC followed by NCPAP ranging from 6 to 8 cm H 2 O, administered with RAM NC resulted in a significant reduction of intubation in the DR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Our aim was to compare the success of extubation in neonatesmanaged with nonsynchronized intermittent nasal positive-pressure ventilation (nsNIPPV) and twomodes of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) after the first extubation. Study Design Randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) included infants with gestational age ≤ 34 weeks and birth weights (BW) 500 to 1,500 g with a diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), divided into three groups: ventilation with nsNIPPV, bubble-NCPAP, and ventilator-NCPAP. Extubation failure (EF) was defined as occurring within 48 hours after extubation. Results We included 101 newborns: nsNIPPV (n = 36); bubble-NCPAP (n = 32) ventilator-NCPAP (n = 33). Overall, the extubation success rate was 81.2%. There were no skin, gastric, or pulmonary complications related to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) (p = 1). There was no difference between the groups regarding the success/EF (p = 0.4). There was extubation success in 81 (81.2%) cases, and EF occurred in 20 (19.8%), associated with longer invasive mechanical ventilation time (p < 0.001) and development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p = 0.04). Conclusion In this trial, three modalities of NIV applied in the success/failure outcomes of extubation avoided reintubation in 80% of infants. document was downloaded for personal use only. Unauthorized distribution [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aims to determine whether preterm infants who are small for gestational age (SCA) are more likely to have respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) compared with appropriate-for-gestational-age infants. Methods Secondary analysis of a multicenter trial evaluating magnesium for neuro-protection. Nonanomalous, singleton gestations delivered between 220/7 and 366/7 weeks were included. Large-for-gestational-age infants were excluded. We performed a nested case-control study. Cases were infants with RDS; controls were infants without RDS. The sample size estimates revealed 779 subjects/group were needed to achieve a 80% power to demonstrate a 1/3 difference in RDS. We fit a multivariable logistic regression model to adjust for confounders. We assessed the association of SGA with RDS and a composite adverse respiratory and neonatal outcome. Results Overall, 947 cases and 920 controls were included. The groups differed by gestational age at delivery, antibiotic exposure, node of delivery, infant gender, and birth weight. SCA was not associated with RDS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48-2.38) or the composite respiratory (aOR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.37-2.04) or adverse neonatal outcome (aOR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.27-1.54). RDS and the composite respiratory outcome were most associated with earlier gestational age at delivery, cesarean delivery, and male gender. Conclusion SCA is not associated with RDS or other adverse respiratory and neonatal composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although surfactant is the most studied drug in the preterm infant, the best criteria for treatment of preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) with surfactant have been not extensively investigated. We assessed the criteria used for deciding the rescue surfactant treatment of preterm infants with RDS in combination with nasal continuous positive airway pressure as reported by the main recent randomized controlled trials. We evaluated 10 studies and found that the criteria chosen for administering selective surfactant were very heterogeneous, different types and doses of surfactant were used, and this limits their applicability in the clinical practice. In conclusion, although current data seem to suggest that low threshold is better than high threshold, additional studies are necessary to identify the most effective criteria for selective surfactant treatment of preterm infants with RDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The historical review of how evidence was developed for the management of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants has not been clearly characterized. Knowledge of this process is essential to understand the role of equipoise and its influence on the decision to evaluate interventions as they were implemented in the practice of medicine. We suspect that errant approaches to clinical equipoise secondary to states of false certainty and false uncertainty have been important barriers to the timely acquisition and implementation of evidence-based knowledge necessary to improve outcomes in this fragile population of infants. When confronted with the decision to test an intervention, physicians should question whether they have lost clinical equipoise based on opinion, expertise, or observational data rather than evidence obtained from methodological inquiry; doing so facilitates reaching clinical equipoise and promotes the application of scientific methodology to answer relevant clinical questions. Timely acquisition of evidence-based knowledge can be viewed as an ethical imperative when the status quo may have negative consequences on outcomes for generations. for personal use only. Unauthorized distribution is strictly prohibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Antenatal steroids (ANSs) improve the respiratory compliance of premature infants. Many premature neonates are born before the administration of a complete course of ANS. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the respiratory system compliance (Crs) of premature (≤ 32 weeks gestation), intubated neonates in relation to the dose, and timing of ANS administration. Study Design Neonates (n = 61) were divided into four groups based on the dose and timing of ANS exposure: Group 1: no ANS; Group 2: partial course (one dose of betamethasone); Group 3: complete course (two doses of betamethasone administered within 2 weeks of delivery); and Group 4: remote course (two doses of betamethasone administered > 2 weeks before delivery). Crs was measured by single-breath occlusion technique. Results Indexed respiratory compliance ± standard error of the mean (mL/cmH2O/kg) adjusted for gestational ages were 0.359 ± 0.074, 0.366 ± 0.080, 0.625 ± 0.038, and 0.505 ± 0.060 for Groups 1 to 4, respectively. The mean indexed Crs in complete ANS was significantly higher than that of no ANS (0.266 ± 0.085; p = 0.016) as well as partial ANS group (0.259 ± 0.086; p = 0.025). Conclusions Crs after birth was significantly higher among premature intubated neonates born to mothers who received a complete course of ANS within 2 weeks, compared with no ANS or a partial course of ANS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The objective of this study was to compare the perfusion index (PI) variability in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) following administration of two different natural surfactant preparations. Study design This was a prospective study on 92 preterm infants with RDS. Patients were randomized into two groups. Group 1 (n = 46) received beractant; Group 2 (n = 46) received poractant alfa. Oxygen saturation, PI, and heart rate were measured by Masimo Rainbow SET Radical-7 pulse oximeter (Masimo Corp., Irvine, CA) before and after surfactant. The effects of the two treatment regimens on PI and oxygenation were compared. Results Repeated doses were more needed in beractant group (p = 0.04). Median oxygenation index (OI) before surfactant were similar, but improvement in OI was more prominent at 6th hour of surfactant in Group 2 (p = 0.001). Both groups had similar preductal PI values before surfactant. PI was higher at 6th hour of surfactant in Group 2 (p = 0.001). Pulmonary hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, and mortality were more frequent in infants whose PI values lower than 0.7 within the first 5 days of life (p = 0.001). Conclusion Poractant alfa resulted in more prominent improvement in PI and OI. Low PI values measured at early postnatal period may predict poor clinical outcome in preterm infants with RDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Some controlled trials have shown significant differences in short-term clinical outcomes between poractant alfa and beractant in infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). There is, however, no study showing the differences in long-term outcomes with these treatments. Aim To determine and compare the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants with RDS treated with poractant alfa or beractant at 2 years of age. Methods This was a prospective, longitudinal, single-center cohort study of infants born at ≤1,500 g and/or ≤32 weeks between 2008 and 2009 who received either poractant alfa (n = 113) or beractant (n = 102) for RDS. Neurological and developmental assessments were performed at a corrected age of 18 to 24 months. Results About 33 of 113 infants (29.2%) in the poractant alfa group had neurodevelopmental impairment compared with 36 of 102 (35.2%) in the beractant group, and the results did not differ between the groups (p = 0.339). Similarly, no significant difference was found in the percentage of infants with cerebral palsy (11.5 vs. 16.7%, respectively; p = 0.275). Conclusion Our findings suggest that poractant alfa and beractant are similar in terms of neurodevelopmental outcomes when used for the treatment of RDS in preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of scientific investigation in acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is replete with examples of effective bench-to-bedside transitions, pioneering research methodology, and international collaboration. This article highlights for clinicians a selection of challenges and controversies of clinical trial design in ALI and ARDS. A section on Patient Selection highlights controversial trade-offs between homogeneous and heterogeneous study populations. A section on Clinical Protocols covers blinding, process-of-care interventions, usual-care control groups, and standardized protocols for adjunctive care. The third section discusses the quest for ideal Study Outcomes. The final section presents Interpretation Controversies, such as early stopping of clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine if surfactant can be effectively administered to larger preterm babies by laryngeal mask airway (LMA), reducing the need for supplemental oxygen. Study Design Enrollment criteria: birth weight > 1200 g, < 72 hours old, treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) for respiratory distress syndrome, with fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) requirement between 0.30 and 0.60. Subjects were randomized either to receive 3 mL/kg calfactant by LMA (experimental) followed by LMA removal back to CPAP, or continued on nCPAP (control). After intervention, both groups remained on nCPAP with FIO2 adjusted to maintain O2 saturations at 88 to 95%. Results A total of 26 patients (13 per group) were randomized, and 24 completed the study (11 experimental, 13 control). Groups were similar with respect to gender, mode of delivery, estimated gestational age, birth weight, and oxygen and pressure requirements at enrollment. Infants enrolled in the treatment group had an abrupt and sustained decrease in oxygen requirement after LMA surfactant therapy. Conclusion This pilot study demonstrates that surfactant can be delivered by LMA, which leads to a significant decrease in supplemental oxygen requirement. Larger controlled trials in low-resource settings may show this technique to be valuable in clinical situations where direct laryngoscopy and intubation are difficult or where resources for mechanical ventilation are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preterm infants need the achievement of adequate lung volume. Lung recruitment maneuver (LRM) is applied during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. We investigated the effect of an LRM with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on oxygenation and outcomes in infants conventionally ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Preterm infants in assisted controlled ventilationþvolume guarantee for RDS after surfactant randomly received an LRM (group A) or did not (group B). LRM entailed increments of 0.2 cm H2O PEEP every 5 minutes, until fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)=0.25. Then PEEP was reduced and the lung volume was set on the deflation limb of the pressure/volume curve. When saturation of peripheral oxygen fell and FiO2 rose, we reincremented PEEP until SpO2 became stable. Group A (n=10) and group B (n=10) infants were similar: gestational age 25±2 versus 2±52 weeks; body weight 747±233 versus 737±219 g; clinical risk index for babies 9.8 versus 8.1; initial FiO2 56±24 versus 52±21, respectively. LRM began at 86±69 minutes of age and lasted for 61±18 minutes. Groups A and B showed different max PEEP during the first 12 hours of life (6.1±0.3 versus 5.3±0.3 cm H2O, p=0.00), time to lowest FiO2 (94±24 versus 435±221 minutes; p=0.000) and O2 dependency (29±12 versus 45±17 days; p=0.04). No adverse events and no differences in the outcomes were observed. LRM led to the earlier lowest FiO2 of the first 12 hours of life and a shorter O2 dependency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]