Approaches to the initial respiratory management of preterm neonates

Newly born preterm infants often require respiratory support. Various approaches have been taken to provide this support, including elective intubation and ventilation, prophylactic surfactant and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Elective intubation and ventilation allow the clinician to take control of the baby’s airway and reduce the support as tolerated. Surfactant can be administered prophylactically to prevent lung injury and respiratory complications. Many neonatologists, however, advocate a less aggressive approach to the provision of support, which includes the application of early nasal CPAP with intubation and ventilation only if necessary. Avoiding intubation may be effective in minimising ventilator-induced lung injury, but withholding surfactant may be detrimental to the infant. In this paper, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches that can be taken in providing respiratory support to preterm neonates shortly after birth and examine some strategies that integrate them.