RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Gradual Versus Sudden Weaning From Nasal CPAP in Preterm Infants: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial JF Respiratory Care FD American Association for Respiratory Care SP 511 OP 516 DO 10.4187/respcare.01999 VO 58 IS 3 A1 Rastogi, Shantanu A1 Wong, Wendy A1 Gupta, Anju A1 Bhutada, Alok A1 Rastogi, Deepa YR 2013 UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/58/3/511.abstract AB BACKGROUND: There is paucity of information on the weaning of nasal CPAP (NCPAP) in preterm infants. As the weaning from NCPAP can be gradual or sudden, we wanted to determine which of the 2 methods was better. METHODS: A prospective randomized trial was conducted to compare the success of weaning from NCPAP when using the sudden and gradual weaning methods in infants born ≤ 32 weeks. We also compared the weight, post-menstrual age when these infants were successfully weaned from NCPAP, and their length of stay in the hospital. RESULTS: Of the 56 infants included in the study, 28 infants were randomized to each weaning method. The gestational age, birth weight, and other clinical factors were similar between the 2 groups. There was no difference in the rate of success of initial weaning between the 2 methods (P = .65). The infants were successfully weaned at 33.7 ± 2.8 weeks versus 33.8 ± 2.6 weeks (P = .93) post-menstrual age, and at 1,736 ± 487 g versus 1,736 ± 501 g (P = .99) weight in the sudden wean and gradual wean groups, respectively. Length of stay was 61.3 ± 19.6 days for the sudden wean group and 66.0 ± 27.1 days for the gradual wean group (P = .48). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the success of weaning from NCPAP between the 2 weaning methods. The weight and post-menstrual age at the time of successful NCPAP wean also did not differ between the 2 groups. These findings suggest that factors other than the method of CPAP wean, such as pulmonary maturity, may determine the success of NCPAP wean in preterm infants.