Clinicians in 25 countries prefer to use lower levels of oxygen to resuscitate preterm infants at birth.

Aim: This study determined current international clinical practice and opinions regarding initial fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2 ) and pulse oximetry (SpO2 ) targets for delivery room resuscitation of preterm infants of less than 29 weeks of gestation.

Methods: An online survey was disseminated to neonatal clinicians via established professional clinical networks using a web-based survey programme between March 9 and June 30, 2015.

Results: Of the 630 responses from 25 countries, 60% were from neonatologists. The majority (77%) would target SpO2 between the 10th to 50th percentiles values for full-term infants. The median starting FiO2 was 0.3, with Japan using the highest (0.4) and the UK using the lowest (0.21). New Zealand targeted the highest SpO2 percentiles (median 50%). Most respondents agreed or did not disagree that a trial was required that compared the higher FiO2 of 0.6 (83%), targeting the 50th SpO2 percentile (60%), and the lower FiO2 of 0.21 (80%), targeting the 10th SpO2 percentile (78%). Most (65%) would join this trial. Many considered that evidence was lacking and further research was needed.

Conclusion: Clinicians currently favour lower SpO2 targets for preterm resuscitation, despite acknowledging the lack of evidence for benefit or harm, and 65% would join a clinical trial.