BACKGROUND Using esophageal pHmetry, nasal CPAP (nCPAP) has been shown to decrease acid gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in adult humans. Although both GER (mainly non-acid) and nCPAP use are very frequent in newborns, the effect of nCPAP on GER in early life is unknown. Having recently shown that the newborn lamb is a unique model for studying neonatal GER, our main objective was to assess the ef...

The improvement in the severity of obstructive sleep-related breathing disorders during nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) therapy can account for the decrease in the required NCPAP level with time. The aim of this study was to prospectively quantify the changes in the required NCPAP level over time of use in sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS). Forty sleep apnoea-hypopnoea pa...

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) the systemic immunity is disturbed and whether it changes with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) therapy. DESIGN Polysomnography was performed on 18 OSAS patients (Group A) before NCPAP was started and again on the first night of NCPAP. Blood samples were collected at 8:00PM, 1:00AM and ...

Heated humidification of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) reduces upper airway symptoms and improves initial use in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The present study aimed to assess the effect of heated humidification of nCPAP on upper airway symptoms and initial use in obstructive sleep apnoea. This study was of a randomised, crossover design. Subjects with polysomno...

Current knowledge suggests that laryngeal chemoreflexes (LCR) are involved in the occurrence of certain neonatal apneas/bradycardias, especially in the preterm newborn. While caffeine and/or nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) are the most frequent options used for treating apneas in preterm newborns, their effects on LCR-related apneas/bradycardias are virtually unknown. The aim ...

BACKGROUND C-reactive protein (CRP) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, it has been reported that levels of CRP are increased in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of long-term therapy with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) on CRP levels and to investigate whether compliance with nCPAP th...

BACKGROUND Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) is frequently used in preterm infants. However, there is no consensus on when and how to wean them from NCPAP. DATA SOURCES Based on recent publications, we have reviewed the criteria of readiness-to-wean and factors affecting weaning success. A special focus is placed on the methods of weaning from NCPAP in preterm infants. RESUL...

AIM To review 66 children with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) for whom a trial of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) was proposed. METHODS Baseline sleep studies were performed to assess OSA severity; a trial of nCPAP was performed where moderate to severe OSA, not relieved by adenotonsillectomy, was found. The nCPAP trial was considered either technically successful (ST), if t...

BACKGROUND The control of body weight and cardiac sympathetic function in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) are important because both factors have significant effects on the mortality of these patients. It has recently been reported that OSAHS has a significant effect on the secretion of leptin, a hormone involved in the control of body weight and sympathetic ne...

BACKGROUND While indications for the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and its associated risks and benefits are extensively investigated, the best strategy for the withdrawal of NCPAP remains unknown. In a survey of Australian and New Zealand Neonatologists, 56% stated that their approach to NCPAP weaning was "ad hoc" (Jardine 2008). At what point an infant is considered...