Extended CPAP or low-flow nasal cannula for intermittent hypoxaemia in preterm infants: a 24-hour randomised clinical trial

Objective Optimal timing of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) cessation in preterm infants remains undetermined. We hypothesised that CPAP extension compared with weaning to low-flow nasal cannula (NC) reduces intermittent hypoxaemia (IH) and respiratory instability in preterm infants meeting criteria to discontinue CPAP. Design Single-centre randomised clinical trial. Setting Level 4 neonatal intensive care unit. Patients 36 infants <34 weeks’ gestation receiving CPAP≤5 cmH 2 O and fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) ≤0.30 and meeting respiratory stability criteria. Interventions Extended CPAP was compared with weaning to low-flow NC (0.5 L/kg/min with a limit of 1.0 L/min) for 24 hours. Outcomes The primary outcome was IH (number of episodes with SpO 2 <85% lasting ≥10 s). Secondary outcomes included: coefficient of variability of SpO 2 , proportion of time in various SpO 2 ranges, episodes (≥10 s) with SpO 2 <80%, median cerebral and renal oxygenation, median effective FiO 2 , median transcutaneous carbon dioxide and bradycardia (<100/min for≥10 s). Results The median (IQR) episodes of IH per 24-hour period was 20 (6–48) in the CPAP group and 76 (18–101) in the NC group (p=0.03). Infants continued on CPAP had less bradycardia, time with SpO 2 <91% and <85%, and lower FiO 2 (all p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in IH<80%, median transcutaneous carbon dioxide or median cerebral or renal oxygenation. Conclusion In preterm infants meeting respiratory stability criteria for CPAP cessation, extended CPAP decreased IH, bradycardia and other hypoxaemia measures compared with weaning to low-flow NC during the 24-hour intervention. Trial registration number NCT04792099 .