Portable Bedside Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in the Delivery Room Reduces Length of Stay

Aim: Portable bedside nasal continuous positive airway pressure in the delivery room (bedside nCPAP) allows the newborn infant to remain with the mother in the delivery room while receiving nCPAP. This study aimed to evaluate the duration of nCPAP treatment and length of stay (LOS) in newborn infants with respiratory distress receiving bedside nCPAP compared to nCPAP in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This retrospective cohort study comprised newborn infants born at ≥ 35 weeks of gestation requiring nCPAP treatment within the first 2 h of life due to respiratory distress. Data were collected from October 2011 to October 2020 at Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark. Results: Bedside nCPAP was administered to 225 newborn infants, while 185 newborn infants received nCPAP at the NICU. Newborn infants receiving bedside nCPAP had a shorter duration of CPAP treatment (4.4 vs. 7.3 h, p < 0.001) and LOS (7.2 vs. 20.2 h, p < 0.001). Transfer to the NICU was avoided in 72% of newborn infants receiving bedside nCPAP. Conclusion: Bedside nCPAP reduces the duration of CPAP treatment and LOS compared to nCPAP in the NICU. About 72% of newborn infants receiving bedside nCPAP avoided transfer to the NICU and avoided separation from their mothers.