Abstract:
Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the single most important cause of
morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates. Early management of RDS is crucial in determining
short- and long-term outcomes and studies have established initial respiratory support (IRS) among
other factors as an important determinant. Despite preexisting guidelines and advancements in the
management of RDS, IRS failure with noninvasive ventilation is common and is associated with
unfavorable outcomes.
Objective: This study evaluated the non-invasive initial respiratory support outcomes and
associated factors among preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome admitted in the
newborn unit (NBU) at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Eldoret (MTRH), Kenya
Methods: Using a prospective observational hospital-based study, preterm neonates ≤ 35weeks
admitted at the newborn unit with clinical RDS were followed up for 28 days. The primary
outcome was IRS success or failure characterized by not stepping up or stepping up the respiratory
support respectively within 72 hours of life and associated maternal and neonatal factors.
Descriptive statistics was described using mean ± (SD) for continuous variables and frequencies
and percentages for categorical variables. Simple and multinomial regression analysis was
performed to evaluate relationship between different IRS methods with outcome variables and a
p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: We enrolled 320 neonates, 172(53.8%) were male with a mean (SD) gestation age of 30.9
(2.95) weeks. The mothers mean age was 27 years, ranging (15-43). 70(22.4%)
95%CI:17.95,27.47] had IRS failure and 243(77.6%) had IRS success. On multivariate analysis
IRS success was associated with primiparity (AOR=2.81;95%CI: 1.42, 7.99), birthweight > 1300g
(AOR= 5.04;95%CI 1.81, 14.6), low modified Downes score (AOR=26.395%CI 3.37, 230) and
normal admission temperatures (AOR=0.32;95%CI 0.12, 0.72) (p= <0.001).
Conclusion: Noninvasive ventilation had a high initial respiratory support success. Primiparity,
birthweight >1300g, normal admission temperatures and low Downes score were associated with
IRS success.