A pilot study of comparison of BCPAP vs. VCPAP in preterm infants with early onset respiratory distress.

BACKGROUND Bubble continuous positive airway pressure (BCPAP) is a low-cost nasal CPAP delivery system with potential benefits for developing nations. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of BCPAP with ventilator CPAP (VCPAP) in preterm neonates with moderate respiratory distress. METHODS In a pilot randomized controlled trial, 30 preterm neonates (gestation <37 weeks) with Silverman-Anderson score between 5 to 7 and oxygen requirement >30% within first 6 h of life were randomly allocated to BCPAP or VCPAP after informed parental consent. Proportion of neonates with success or failure, while using the allocated mode of CPAP delivery (primary outcome) was compared. RESULTS The success rate was comparable [VCPAP: 80% (12/15) vs. BCPAP: 87% (13/15)] between the two groups. Dislodgement was commonest problem with equal frequency [10/15, (67%)] in each group. CONCLUSION BCPAP appears to be a promising method of CPAP delivery in preterm neonates with moderate respiratory distress.