PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Snorri Donaldsson AU - Thomas Drevhammar AU - Leena Taittonen AU - Stina Klemming AU - Baldvin Jonsson TI - Initial stabilisation of preterm infants: a new resuscitation system with low imposed work of breathing for use with face mask or nasal prongs AID - 10.1136/archdischild-2016-310577 DP - 2017 May 01 TA - Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition PG - F203--F207 VI - 102 IP - 3 4099 - http://fn.bmj.com/content/102/3/F203.short 4100 - http://fn.bmj.com/content/102/3/F203.full SO - Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed2017 May 01; 102 AB - Objective T-piece resuscitation systems are pressure unstable and have high imposed work of breathing (iWOB). Pressure stable respiratory support with low iWOB might improve outcome. We have developed a new resuscitation system that can be used with nasal prongs or face mask. The aim of the study was to describe the in vitro performance of the new system and to perform a clinical feasibility trial of initial stabilisation of preterm infants.Method A mechanical lung model was used to determine iWOB at increasing levels of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The feasibility trial included 36 infants (27–34 weeks of gestation), who were randomised into three groups (T-piece, new system with face mask or new system with prongs). Collected data included problems with usage, safety, time to stable breathing, need for positive pressure ventilation and intubation.Results In the mechanical lung model, the new system reduced iWOB with 91.5% (mask) and 86.6% (medium prongs) compared with Neopuff (4 cm CPAP, p<0.001). Informed consent was obtained from 45 patients, 39 were randomised and 36 needed support. Randomisation resulted in an imbalance: The group of new system infants had lower gestational age compared with the T-piece group. Thirteen patients needed positive pressure ventilation (median 20 cm H2O). One infant was intubated. The study did not reveal problems with the equipment or safety.Conclusions Compared with T-piece systems, the new system had a marked reduction in iWOB in bench tests. The feasibility trial did not reveal problems with usability or safety.