Applications of nasal continuos positive airway pressure in the neonatal intensiv car unit

The spectrum of mechanical support for neonatal respiratory failure has widened substantially over the past few years. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and time-cycled, pressure-limited intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) became the primary treatment modalities for a quarter of a century, until the technologic breakthroughs introduced high-frequency ventilation (HFV) and advanced ventilatory techniques into neonatal intensive care. Philosophies of respiratory management differ widely, even in highly developed countries. Some institutions favor a very conservative approach to treatment, whereas others are more aggressive in their strategies. Treatments range from the relatively noninvasive CPAP to the most invasive, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).Keywords• Anatomical and physiological principles of neonatal respiratory system.• Lung mechanics and technical view.• Historical view and background of mechanical ventilation.• Indications for assisted ventilation.• Types and classification of mechanical ventilation.• Noninvasive neonatal mechanical ventilation.• Conventional neonatal mechanical ventilation.• Non conventional and new trends in neonatal mechanical ventilation.• Complications and weaning from mechanical ventilation.