Face mask versus nasal mask device use for initial resuscitation in extremely and very preterm infants (FONDUE): an open-label, single-centre, randomised, controlled trial.

Background: More than 85% of very preterm infants (born <32 weeks' gestation) breathe spontaneously within 1 min of birth, however, more than 60% of infants receive positive pressure ventilation. Face mask application soon after birth might suppress breathing through the trigeminal nerve reflex, causing vocal cord closure and hypoxia. We aimed to investigate whether nasal mask continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) would improve CPAP success, reducing the need for positive pressure ventilation and intubation at birth, compared with face mask CPAP (fCPAP).

Combining activity and grimace scores reflects perinatal stability in infants <32 weeks gestational age.

Background: Over 95% of infants less than 32 weeks gestational age-very preterm infants (VPTI)-require cardiorespiratory support at birth. Clinical condition at birth is assessed by the Apgar score, but the precision and accuracy of activity and grimace has not been evaluated. We hypothesised activity and grimace could predict the level of cardiorespiratory support required for stabilisation.