Tidal volumes during delivery room stabilization of (near) term infants

Background We sought to assess tidal volumes in (near) term infants during delivery room stabilization. Methods Secondary analysis of a prospective study comparing two facemasks used for positive pressure ventilation (PPV) in newborn infants >= 34 weeks gestation. PPV was provided with a T-piece device with a PIP of 30 cmH(2)O and positive end-expiratory airway pressure of 5 cmH(2)O. Expired tidal volumes (V-t) were measured with a respiratory function monitor. Target range for V-t was defined to be 4 - 8 ml/kg. Results Twenty-three infants with a median (IQR) gestational age of 38.1 (36.4 - 39.0) weeks received 1828 inflations with a median V-t of 4.6 (3.3 - 6.2) ml/kg. Median V-t was in the target range in 12 infants (52%), lower in 9 (39%) and higher in 2 (9%). Thirty-six (25-27) % of the inflations were in the target rage over the duration of PPV while 42 (25 - 65) % and 10 (3 - 33) % were above and below target range. Conclusions Variability of expiratory tidal volume delivered to term and late preterm infants was wide. Reliance on standard pressures and clinical signs may be insufficient to provide safe and effective ventilation in the delivery room.