Neonatal Resuscitation Using a Nasal Cannula: A Single-Center Experience

Objective The aim of the study was to describe our experience using a modified nasal cannula to deliver nasal continuous positive airway pressure and/or nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation during primary neonatal resuscitation of preterm and term newborns. Study Design Data were collected retrospectively for all neonates resuscitated with nasal cannula in the delivery room. The primary outcome was the number of newborns intubated in the delivery room. Secondary outcomes included need for chest compressions, intubations in the first 24 hours, air-leaks, and surfactant administration. Results A total of 102 infants were resuscitated using nasal cannula. Eight (7.8%) were intubated in the delivery room, five (4.9%) required chest compressions, and five (4.9%) had pneumothorax noted on chest X-ray. No deaths occurred in the delivery room. Twenty-eight patients (27.5%) received early rescue surfactant after admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Conclusion Neonatal resuscitation can be effectively performed in preterm and term newborns using a modified nasal cannula in the delivery room.