High-flow nasal cannula versus Nasal continuous positive airway pressure among preterm babies with respiratory distress syndrome

Background: HHFNC(humidified high-flow nasal cannula)and NCBAP(Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)are Knownventilator support widely used in pediatric intensive care unit with specific indications. Advantage and disadvantages of both we discussed in many literatures and both improved outcome of patientswith proper setting and less side effects.Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the use of both proceduresin very to moderate preterms with RDS and to study the predictors associated with their success/failureMaterials and Methods :A cross-sectional study was conducted at Intensive Care Unit of Rapareen TeachingHospital in Erbil during the period from January till December 2023, sixty-fivepreterm babies of 28-33 weeks with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were enrolled in this study.Results:The study included 65 patients with Mean gestational age of 30.62 ±1.62 and median GA 31m, majority were aged 3 days and male mainly product of caesarian delivery. Significant association was evident between need for NCPAP upon HHFNC with female gender and lower birth weight. Pneumothorax was among serious complications noted highly among NCPAP patients compared to HHFNC.Conclusions:NCPAP more frequent among low birth weight and increase likelihood of pneumothorax in comparison to HHFNC. No one of procedures have advantage over other regarding length of stay at hospital or death rate.