Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation with heliox in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation with heliox in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

METHODS

Premature infants with mild respiratory distress syndrome requiring non-invasive respiratory support were eligible. Infants were randomly assigned to heliox or air-oxygen group. The main outcome was the length of ventilation.

RESULTS

Heliox significantly decreased the length of ventilation. The length of ventilation was positively correlated with interleukin-6 at baseline. Carbon dioxide elimination was better in the heliox group.

CONCLUSION

Heliox delivered with nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation may be effective in reducing length of ventilation and increasing carbon dioxide elimination.