Study of respiratory physiology during HFNC in preterm neonates

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A study of nasopharyngeal pressures, tidal breathing indices and inspired gas concentrations during High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment in preterm neonates.

• IRAS ID

  145881

• Contact name

  Christopher O'Brien

• Contact email

  christopher.o'brien@nuth.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  R&D Officer

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  14/NE/0093, REC Reference number

• Research summary

  The most commonly used non-invasive respiratory support in preterm babies is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP, which provides extra breathing support to babies who are breathing by themselves). Increasingly High flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC, newer form of extra breathing support) therapy has found its way in clinical practice despite lack of good physiological data. There are also concerns about its potential to generate higher pressures in airways which can cause over distension of lungs.

  We would like to find out the effects of HFNC on

  1. Airway pressures in comparison to CPAP.
  2. Breathing markers including respiratory rate (speed of breathing), oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, tidal volumes (how much air breathed in with each breath) and airway wash out (wash out of waste gas from the airway).

  We plan to study 15 babies each in three different weight categories supported with either CPAP or HFNC. The airway pressures, oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration in airway are measured by a small plastic catheter (similar to feeding tube but much shorter in length), carbon dioxide levels by skin sensors, how fast and how much babies breathe by a special vest applied like a layer of clothing. These will be recorded both on HFNC and CPAP. There are no blood tests or invasive procedures involved. The baby will be monitored throughout the study period of approximately two hours by experienced registrar who is trained to use the study device.

  This study will improve our understanding of physiological effects of HFNC and lead to better care of preterm babies.
  
  The study location is Neonatal Unit at Royal Victoria infirmary, Newcastle to be conducted over 18 months.

• REC name

  North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/NE/0093

• Date of REC Opinion

  6 Jun 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion