Solving the Extubation Equation: Successfully Weaning Infants Born Extremely Preterm from Mechanical Ventilation

Prolonged mechanical ventilation of infants born preterm is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).1,2 Limiting exposure to mechanical ventilation may be achieved by avoiding intubation and mechanical ventilation altogether; randomized trials have demonstrated that early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as an alternative to routine intubation in the delivery room is feasible and effective in reducing the need for mechanical ventilation in infants born extremely preterm3-6 and that this practice may reduce rates of BPD.

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