COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE VERSUS MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN PRETERM NEONATES WITH RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

Abstract

Objective:  The objective of this study was to study Comparative effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure versus mechanical ventilation in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome

Study design: Comparative Cross Sectional Observational Study

Place and duration of study: Department of Pediatrics, Tertiary Care Hospital, Faislabad from November 2024- April 2025.

Methodology: 100 preterm neonates diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were included. Neonates were divided into two groups based on respiratory support received: continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and mechanical ventilation (MV), with 50 patients in each group. Clinical diagnosis, radiological findings, and gestational age criteria were used for inclusion. Data regarding demographic characteristics, duration of respiratory support, complications, NICU stay, and mortality were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 26, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: The study demonstrated that preterm neonates managed with CPAP had significantly better clinical outcomes compared to those receiving mechanical ventilation. The CPAP group showed shorter duration of respiratory support, oxygen therapy, and NICU stay. Complications such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pneumothorax, and sepsis were more common in the mechanical ventilation group. Mortality was lower among neonates treated with CPAP, although the difference was not statistically significant. Overall, CPAP proved to be an effective non-invasive respiratory support strategy associated with reduced morbidity and fewer ventilation-related complications in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.

Conclusion: Continuous positive airway pressure is an effective and safer initial respiratory support modality for preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. It reduces respiratory complications, duration of hospitalization, and need for prolonged invasive respiratory support