Resuscitation
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Observational Study
Exerted force on the face mask in preterm infants at birth is associated with apnoea and bradycardia.
During stabilisation of preterm infants at birth, a face mask is used to provide respiratory support. However, application of these masks may activate cutaneous stretch receptors of the trigeminal nerve, causing apnoea and bradycardia. This study investigated the amount of force exerted on the face mask during non-invasive ventilation of preterm infants at birth and whether the amount of exerted force is associated with apnoea and bradycardia. ⋯ During mask ventilation, the median exerted force on a face mask was 297 grams with a maximum of 1455 grams. Higher exerted forces were associated apnoea and bradycardia during the first 10 minutes of respiratory support at birth.
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Observational Study
The vocal cords are predominantly closed in preterm infants <30 weeks gestation during transition after birth; an observational study.
Studies in animals have shown that vocal cords (VCs) close during apnoea before and after birth, thereby impairing the effect of non-invasive ventilation. We tested the feasibility of visualising VCs using ultrasonography (US) and investigated the position and movement of the VCs during non-invasive respiratory support of preterm infants at birth. ⋯ Visualising VCs in preterm infants at birth using US is feasible. The VCs were closed during apnoea, in between breaths and during breath holds, impairing the effect of ventilation given.