Mask ventilation with two different face masks in the delivery room for preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial

J Perinatol. 2015 Jul;35(7):464-8. doi: 10.1038/jp.2015.8. Epub 2015 Feb 26.

Abstract

Background: If an infant fails to initiate spontaneous breathing after birth, international guidelines recommend a positive pressure ventilation (PPV). However, PPV by face mask is frequently inadequate because of leak between the face and mask. Despite a variety of available face masks, none have been prospectively compared in a randomized fashion. We aimed to evaluate and compare leak between two commercially available round face masks (Fisher & Paykel (F&P) and Laerdal) in preterm infants <33 weeks gestational age in the delivery room.

Methods: Infants born at the Royal Alexandra Hospital from April to September 2013 at <33 weeks gestational age who received mask PPV in the delivery room routinely had a flow sensor placed between the mask and T-piece resuscitator. Infants were randomly assigned to receive PPV with either a F&P or Laerdal face mask. All resuscitators were trained in the use of both face masks. We compared mask leak, airway pressures, tidal volume and ventilation rate between the two groups.

Results: Fifty-six preterm infants (n=28 in each group) were enrolled; mean±s.d. gestational age 28±3 weeks; birth weight 1210±448 g; and 30 (52%) were male. Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min were 5±3 and 7±2, respectively. Infants randomized to the F&P face mask and Laerdal face mask had similar mask leak (30 (25-38) versus 35 (24-46)%, median (interquartile range), respectively, P=0.40) and tidal volume (7.1 (4.9-8.9) versus 6.6 (5.2-8.9) ml kg(-1), P=0.69) during PPV. There were no significant differences in ventilation rate, inflation time or airway pressures between groups.

Conclusion: The use of either face mask during PPV in the delivery room yields similar mask leak in preterm infants <33 weeks gestational age.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature* / physiology
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Masks*
  • Oxygen / blood
  • Positive-Pressure Respiration / instrumentation*
  • Resuscitation / methods

Substances

  • Oxygen