Respiratory management of extremely low birth weight infants: survey of neonatal specialists

Background:To investigate strategies used for the management of respiratory distress syndrome(RDS)and bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in extremely low birth weight(ELBW)infants.Methods:A survey of neonatal specialists working in US academic institutions with fellowship training programs.Results:Eighty percent(72/89)of the identifi ed academic institutions had at least one physician who responded to the survey.Among respondents,85%(171/201)agreed or strongly agreed to use continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP)initially for the management of RDS,and the majority agreed or strongly agreed to use a fraction of inspired oxygen(FiO2)≥0.4 and a mean airway pressure(MAP)≥10 cm H2O as a criteria for surfactant therapy;and 73%(146/200)sometimes or always used caffeine to prevent BPD.Only 25%(50/202)sometimes or almost always used steroids to prevent or treat BPD.Identified indications to use steroids were 3 or more extubation failures or inability to extubate beyond 8 weeks of age.Conclusions:Variability in treatment strategies of ELBW is common among neonatal specialists.However,the majority of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed to use early CPAP for the management of RDS,consider a FiO2≥0.4 and a MAP≥10 cm H2O as criteria for surfactant therapy,and sometimes or almost always used caffeine to prevent BPD.Steroids continue to have a role in the management of BPD in infants who are diffi cult to extubate.