Construction of Ductal Diameter Centiles in the First 24 h of Life and Their Relation to Cerebral Blood Flow in Neonates Weighing Less Than 1250 g in the First 24 h of Life.

Aims And Objectives: To evaluate the ductal diameter centiles in the first 24 h of life and their relation to cerebral blood flow in neonates weighing <1250 g in the first 24 h of life.

Method And Material: This prospective observational cohort study enrolled 44 infants with birth weight <1250 g. Two-dimensional echocardiography and color Doppler were performed within the first 12 h of life and were repeated again in the next 12 h of life to assess the ductal size and middle cerebral artery (MCA) flows [peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (MV) and pulsatility index (PI)].

Initiating nasal continuous positive airway pressure in preterm neonates at 5 cm as against 7 cm did not decrease the need for mechanical ventilation.

Aim: The optimum starting nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) for infants on bubble nCPAP is unknown. We compared whether an initial bubble nCPAP of 7 cm rather than 5 cm of water prevented the need for mechanical ventilation among preterm neonates with respiratory distress.

Methods: Preterm neonates born at 27-34 weeks with the onset of respiratory distress within 24 hours of birth were randomised to receive high or standard nCPAP at either 7 cm or 5 cm of water, respectively.