Supplementary Material for: NIV NAVA versus Nasal CPAP in Premature Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Noninvasive ventilation is recommended for neonatal respiratory distress to avoid adverse effects of invasive ventilation. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the feasibility of noninvasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV NAVA) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in preterm newborn infants. Methods: Forty preterm infants (gestational age 28+0 to 36+6 weeks) requiring CPAP and supplemental oxygen (FiO2 >0.23) for respiratory distress at Results: The mean FiO2 at the time of study inclusion was 0.29 in both groups. After 12 h of treatment, FiO2 was 0.26 ± 0.07 and 0.26 ± 0.04 in the NIV NAVA and CPAP groups, respectively (difference 0.006, 95% CI –0.4 to 0.5), with no difference between the groups during the course of noninvasive ventilation (p = 0.80). Seven patients (35%) in the NIV NAVA group and 10 (50%) in the control group required intubation (difference 15%, 95% CI –15.5 to 4.3, p = 0.36). Time to intubation, gas exchange, vital parameters, pain scale, treatment complications, and neonatal outcome did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: In the present trial, NIV NAVA had no statistically significant effect on oxygen requirements or the need for invasive ventilation in preterm newborn infants.