Acta paediatrica
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Guidelines recommend neonatal resuscitation without controlling tidal volume or positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). However, these may improve gas exchange, lung volume and outcome. ⋯ Very premature lambs can be resuscitated effectively using volume-guarantee ventilation and PEEP. Tidal volumes affected PaCO(2) within minutes but had little effect on oxygenation. PEEP halved the oxygen requirement compared with no PEEP. Resuscitating premature babies with controlled tidal volumes and PEEP might improve their outcome.