title: Nasal CPAP has become an indispensable part of the primary treatment of newborns with respiratory distress syndrome.
abstract: Prenatal steroids, early nasal CPAP combined with early surfactant treatment followed by extubation to nasal CPAP, and if necessary mechanical ventilation is a very effective treatment of respiratory distress syndrome. This treatment package is part of the 'Scandinavian model' for treatment of very-low-birthweight infants which also comprises gentle ventilation at birth; minimal handling; 'neonatal individualized development care and assessment program'; high priority of breast feeding; and use of kangaroo method and which facilitates observation and nursing of sick premature infants and optimizes the possibility for early mother-child contact. The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia seems to be less of a problem in centres preferring nasal CPAP as the primary treatment for respiratory distress syndrome.
authors: Clinic of Paediatrics, Holbaek University Hospital, Region Zealand, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. chhnve@vestamt.dk
authors: Henrik
authors: H
authors: Verder
mesh_terms: D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000517:prevention & control; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000628:therapy*