Non-invasive respiratory support in preterm infants

Survival of preterm infants has increased steadily over recent decades, primarily due to improved outcomes for those born before 28 weeks of gestation. However, this has not been matched by similar improvements in longer-term morbidity. One of the key long-term sequelae of preterm birth remains bronchopulmonary dysplasia (also called chronic lung disease of prematurity), contributed primarily by the effect of early pulmonary inflammation superimposed on immature lungs. Non-invasive modes of respiratory support have been rapidly introduced providing modest success in reducing the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia when compared with invasive mechanical ventilation, and improved clinical practice has been reported from population-based studies. We present a comprehensive review of the key modes of non-invasive respiratory support currently used in preterm infants, including their mechanisms of action and evidence of benefit from clinical trials.