ANÁLISE DO MODO VENTILATÓRIO UTILIZADO NA ASSISTÊNCIA DE PREMATUROS E CARACTERÍSTICAS CLÍNICAS DE UMA UNIDADE DE TERAPIA INTENSIVA NEONATAL

Prematurity is identified as one of the leading causes of health problems and mortality in children. It is directly associated with complications affecting infant development. Among the strategies adopted by physiotherapists for caring for newborns, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation has stood out in preventing tracheal intubation and the use of invasive mechanical ventilation. This study aimed to identify the choice of ventilatory mode used in premature infants requiring respiratory support within the first 72 hours after birth and to outline the clinical-epidemiological profile of this sample based on chart review. This was an observational, cross-sectional, retrospective study employing quantitative analysis through chart review. 99 medical records of premature babies were identified, predominantly male, delivered by cesarean, with moderate prematurity, and without the need for intubation. However, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation was utilized within the critical first 72 hours after birth, a period crucial for premature infants' health. Strong associations were found between gestational age and birth weight (0.665; p≤0.001), and prescription of caffeine (0.583; p≤0.001), as well as between caffeine use and apnea (0.976; p≤0.001). Moderate associations were observed between clinical outcome and intubation at birth (0.395; p≤0.001), and intubation within 72 hours (0.395; p≤0.001). By highlighting the use of noninvasive continuous positive pressure as a protective ventilatory strategy from birth in very preterm newborns, the findings of this study underscore the need for integrated physiotherapeutic follow-up in the initial management of these babies in the NICU, thus optimizing respiratory and functional care for these vulnerable patients from the earliest stages of life.