title: N-SIPPV versus bi-level N-CPAP for early treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for RDS in extremely/very low birth-weight infants represents the new challenge for neonatologists. In this regard, data comparing the effectiveness of Bi-Level-NCPAP (BiPAP) versus nasal synchronized intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NSIPPV) as primary mode of treatment for RDS are lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study from December 2007 to December 2010 in seventy-eight infants, who received NIV (N-SIPPV: 33; BiPAP: 45). The primary outcomes were the length and failure of NIV. Secondary outcomes were adverse short-long term pulmonary outcomes, multiple doses of surfactant and others.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two different NIV modes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present findings suggest that N-SIPPV and BiPAP gives similar results in the RDS treatment. We did not find a benefit of one over the other ventilation mode and both could be constitute a valid option to conventional mechanical ventilation. The theoretical benefits of these two different methods of NIV are tidal volume enhancement, improvements of the functional residual capacity and of the mean airway pressure and reducing apnea episodes. Further randomized studies to assess the advantages and the efficacy of different methods of NIV for the treatment of the RDS are needed.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, C. Arrigo Children's Hospital, Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ricotti
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Salvo
authors.forename: Luc J I
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Antonio W D
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Gavilanes
authors.forename: Ignazio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barberi
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lista
authors.forename: Micaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colivicchi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Temporini
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gazzolo
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology; D007385:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D063087:Noninvasive Ventilation / Q000379:methods*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome