Pilot Study Comparing Different Modes of Non-invasive Ventilation for the Oral Feeding of Preterm Infants

Preterm infants born before 28 weeks gestation are at risk for lung disease and require oxygen and pressure to keep their lungs open. This usually involves a device called nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). When preterm babies reach a certain age, they are ready to begin to feed by mouth, but for those on nCPAP, oral feeds are usually not started due to concerns for choking. This may cause them to miss their window of learning and may lead to a longer hospital stay or oral aversion. Sometimes babies are switched from nCPAP to low flow oxygen (LFO2) for a short time for oral feeds, but this may not provide enough support for their lungs. Heated, humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) is another mode of providing oxygen and pressure. It is equal to nCPAP in small babies transitioning off of ventilators, but no studies have been done in older babies. We plan to compare the feeding of babies orally using either nCPAP with LFO2 or HHHFNC in preterm babies born before 28 weeks gestation who are now 34 weeks corrected gestational age. The goal will be the fastest time to full oral feeds.