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Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory distress is one of the commonest conditions in preterm neonates requiring NICU admission especially among those less than 34 weeks of gestational age. Timely intervention of this with the usage of CPAP can significantly reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity.
Aim & Objectives: To study the clinical profile and outcome of non-invasive ventilation using BUBBLE CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE in neonates with respiratory distress in a tertiary care centre.
Methodology: A prospective study was conducted among the first 200 neonates admitted in NICU with respiratory distress between November 2023 to October 2024. Downes score was used to assess the respiratory distress at the time of admission.
Results: 81.5% of the babies showed improvement with CPAP and were weaned to oxygen hood and 18.5% babies required mechanical ventilation. Earlier application of CPAP showed good outcome. Neonates between 32 to 36 weeks were highly benefitted with usage of CPAP. There was a statistical significance with usage of antenatal steroids and the outcome of the neonates.
Conclusion: CPAP is the best mode of treatment in neonates with respiratory distress. Application of CPAP does not require trained personnel and can be set up by staff with minimal training. Downes score helped in subsequent assessment of distress. Also, complications were very minimal while using CPAP.