Journal of Clinical Neonatology | 2019
A comparative study of outcomes of nasal prongs and nasal mask as CPAP interface in preterm neonates: A randomized control trial
Abstract
Background: Nasal prongs are a common method of providing CPAP to newborn babies. They are the cause of mild to severe trauma to the nose and nasal septum and may result in CPAP failure. Nasal masks are now being used to try and mitigate the trauma.These are form fitting masks placed over the nose and are thought to cause less trauma than nasal prongs. Methods: A study was conducted on preterm neonates (28–34-week gestation) with respiratory distress within 24 h of life, admitted in a tertiary care center, Meerut. Babies were randomized and divided into two groups while being put on bubble continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), using either nasal prongs (Group A) or nasal masks (Group B). The data generated were collected and analyzed for mean duration of CPAP, duration of hospital stay, CPAP failure, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, and nasal trauma among both groups. Results: Eighty neonates were analyzed in the study, of which the mean duration of CPAP was 4.53 days in Group A and 5.20 days in Group B; the mean duration of hospital stay was 21.36 days in Group A and 24.58 days in Group B; CPAP failure was observed in 21.95% cases in Group A and 23.07% cases in Group B; and nasal trauma was seen in 46.34% cases in Group A and 43.58% in Group B. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference among both groups. Conclusion: The outcomes of nasal mask as interface are as effective as nasal prongs in preterm infants on CPAP therapy.