Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Exerted force on the face mask in preterm infants at birth is associated with apnoea and bradycardia
Authors' conclusion
During mask ventilation, the median exerted force on a face mask was 297 grams with a maximum of 1455 grams. Higher exerted forces were associated apnoea and bradycardia during the first 10 minutes of respiratory support at birth.
Study context
- Population
- Preterm infants born <32 weeks of gestation stabilised at birth with mask respiratory support
- Participants
- 30 infants
- Exposure
- Positive pressure ventilation vs CPAP
- Outcome
- Amount of force exerted on the face mask and its association with apnoea and bradycardia
- Follow-up
- First 10 minutes of respiratory support
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Exerted force on face mask
Higher forceOdds ratio (CI)P value
Apnoea; binary logistic regression
1.607(1.556–1.661)
P < 0.001Bradycardia; binary logistic regression
1.140(1.102–1.180)
P < 0.001- Median exerted force overall (grams), IQR 198-377
- 297
- Range of exerted force (grams)
- 0 to 1455
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Exerted force on the face mask in preterm infants at birth is associated with apnoea and bradycardia. Resuscitation. Published 12 December 2023. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it