title: A randomised crossover study of low-flow air or oxygen via nasal cannulae to prevent desaturation in preterm infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of low-flow oxygen, low-flow air and sham treatment given via nasal cannulae in preventing desaturation (falls in oxygen saturation (SpO2)) in preterm infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants born at <33 weeks gestation receiving gas at flow rates <1 l/min via nasal cannulae were eligible for inclusion. Enrolled infants received three treatments-0.1 l/min 100% oxygen, 0.1 l/min air, (21% oxygen) and sham (tubing disconnected from flow-meter)-via nasal cannulae, each for 3 h. Treatments were given in a randomly assigned order and caregivers were masked to treatment. Infants were monitored with a pulse oximeter that recorded SpO2 and heart rate every 2 s. Treatment was stopped before 3 h if infants reached prespecified failure criteria. We compared the rates of failure and the frequency and duration of desaturation episodes that occurred during each treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 14 infants enrolled, 2 (14%) reached failure criteria during treatment with oxygen compared with 7 (50%) during treatment with air and sham. Among infants who completed the 3-h study periods, there were fewer episodes and shorter duration of desaturation with oxygen compared with air and sham.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At a flow rate of 0.1 l/min via nasal cannulae, air is no better than sham treatment in preventing desaturation in preterm infants, while 100% oxygen is superior to both.
authors: Department of Neonatology, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Conor C
authors: CC
authors: Hensey
authors: Eoghan
authors: E
authors: Hayden
authors: Colm Patrick Finbarr
authors: CP
authors: O'Donnell
mesh_terms: D057785:Catheters; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Infant, Newborn; Oxygen; Premature; Randomised; Respiration