Comparison of non-synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure as post-extubation respiratory support in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To determine whether post-extubation respiratory support via nsNIPPV decreases the need for mechanical ventilation (MV) compared to nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Methods: In this randomized, controlled, open, prospective, single-center clinical trial, we randomly assigned preterm ventilated infants with RDS to either nsNIPPV or NCPAP after extubation. The primary outcome, extubation failure, was defined by pre-specified failure criteria in the 72 hours after extubation.