Noninvasive neurally-adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA) improves patient-ventilator synchrony and may reduce treatment failure in preterm infants compared with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of NIV-NAVA in preterm infants with respiratory distress.