title: [High-Flow Nasal Cannulae (HFNC) in Neonates: A Survey of Current Practice in Level 1 Perinatal Centres in the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High-flow nasal cannulae (HFNC) is a kind of non-invasive respiratory support. In recent years, its application has gained increasing popularity for treating neonates with respiratory failure. Within this study, neonatologists employed at high level perinatal centres within the region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany were interviewed. We evaluated their personal experience as well as the underlying indication for using HFNC.
  
  
  METHODS
  We undertook an online survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  93% of the interviewed participants use HFNC systems in their NICU. The most prominent indications were CPAP-weaning, nasal trauma, and apnoea of prematurity. Both initial flow and maximum and minimum flow rates varied widely. The primary benefit of HFNC vs. conventional CPAP was the improved neonate tolerance, less nasal traumata and ease of application and care. A common disadvantage was the inability to conduct PEEP measurements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of the HFNC system is increasing for specific neonatal indications, thereby increasing the data for the evaluation of effectivity and safety. Nevertheless, detailed investigations of the appropriate flow rate settings are still lacking.
authors.affiliation: Neonatologie, GFO-Kliniken Bonn, St-Marien Hospital, Bonn.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hepping
authors.affiliation: Neonatologie, GFO-Kliniken Bonn, St-Marien Hospital, Bonn.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Garbe
authors.affiliation: Neonatologie, GFO-Kliniken Bonn, St-Marien Hospital, Bonn.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D057785:Catheters; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009359:Neonatology / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods