Objective: To identify variables associated with early nasal continuous positive airway pressure (ENCPAP) failure in preterm neonates less than 30 weeks gestational age.
Study design: Multicenter prospective study including 131 preterm newborns, over a period of 2 years. Patients and respiratory variables were assessed using univariate analysis.
Result: Variables associated with ENCPAP failure were: the need of resuscitation with a FiO(2)>0.30; a CPAP pressure of 6.4±1.2 cm H(2)O; the need of a FiO(2) of 0.40 in the first 4 h of life; male gender maintaining the need of a FiO(2)>0.25 in the first 4 h of life; and respiratory distress syndrome with criteria for surfactant administration.
Conclusion: The need for oxygen in resuscitation and maintained in first hours of life, male gender, a CPAP pressure over 5 cm H(2)O and surfactant need are predictors of ENCPAP failure in preterm neonates 26 to 30 weeks gestational age.