OUTCOME OF BUBBLE CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE IN PRETERM NEONATES WITH RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background: Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (BCPAP) is reported to be a safer alternative compared to mechanical ventilation in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The objective of this study was to assess the effects of BCPAP on premature neonates with RDS. Methodology: This was an analytic cross-sectional study done over 7 months involving preterm neonates with RDS admitted at the AIC Kijabe Hospital New Born Unit. The duration of BCPAP support, duration of oxygen therapy and oxygen requirements at 36 weeks gestational age (GA), the GA of the infants when full enteral feeds were tolerated, and the complications of BCPAP were documented. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 17.0. Results: Sixty-one preterm neonates were recruited in the study, 54.1% male and 45.9% female. The median duration of BCPAP treatment was 5 days (IQR 3-7 days), and this was significantly associated with birth weight (p=0.044). The median duration of oxygen therapy was 6 days (IQR 4-17 days) and this was significantly associated with GA (p=0.003). Twenty percent of the neonates required oxygen administration at 36 weeks. The median age of full enteral feeds was 18 days (IQR 12-25 days). There were no major complications of BCPAP (pneumothorax, CPAP belly and nasal trauma). The mortality rate of preterm neonates treated with BCPAP was 13.1%. Conclusion BCPAP exhibited a favorable safety profile, with no major complications reported. It is a safe mode of respiratory support for preterm neonates with RDS and should be readily available in all newborn units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]