NIV-NAVA Versus Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (nCPAP) or Non Synchronized NIPPV

Mechanical respiratory support of preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and/or apnoea of prematurity (AOP) might be associated with adverse effects due to positive pressure (barotrauma), excessive gas delivery (volutrauma) or inadequate volume (atelectrauma). Asynchrony between patient efforts and ventilator support increases patient discomfort, favouring "fighting" the machine, and increases the risk of air trapping and lung overdistension even in patients with non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Recently, a new modality of synchronization has been available for pediatric and neonatal use: the neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA), which uses the diaphragmatic electrical activity (Edi) as a signal to start the rise in pressure of the ventilator, and to adjust the tidal volume and the inspiratory time (cycling off) to the patient needs, breath by breath. The aims of this study are to know whether NIV-NAVA compared to unsynchronized modalities (nCPAP/nIPPV), in infants born \< 32 weeks GA with respiratory distress syndrome or requiring prophylactic NIV (immaturity, apnoea) reduces systemic inflammation, measured by serum cytokines concentration, reduces the need for oxygen and respiratory support, and if it increases the probabilities of survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).