LISA in the Delivery Room for Extremely Preterm Infants

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of LISA used in the delivery room (DR) in decreasing the intubation rates in preterm infants at 22-25 weeks gestational age (GA), during first 72 hours compared to the standard approach of stabilization on nasal CPAP in the DR and administering surfactant in the NICU. Infants in both groups will be resuscitated per NRP algorithm. Infants who maintain a stable HR and respiratory effort on CPAP will qualify for the intervention. Infants in Group 1 (Intervention arm) will receive LISA in DR. CPAP will be titrated between 5-8 cm H20 after LISA. Infants in Group 2 (Control arm) will be transferred to NICU on CPAP. The CPAP level will be increased stepwise every 30 minutes to 7 cm H2O if FiO2 ≥0.3. Infants requiring CPAP 7 at FiO2 ≥0.3 will receive LISA. CPAP will be titrated between 5-8 cm H20 after LISA. Infants in both arms requiring CPAP 7 and FiO2 \>0.8 at 20 MOL in the delivery room will be intubated in DR. Any infant with a heart rate not responding with appropriate PPV will be intubated in the DR. CXR will be obtain on admission and umbilical lines will be placed. Infants in both arm who require FiO2 ≥0.6 for ≥1 hour, apnea requiring stimulation 3 times within one hour or ≥6 over 6 hour period, any apnea requiring PPV, or CO2 \>0.65 in two consecutive blood gases drawn over two hours will be considered as reasons for intubation after LISA. Primary outcome is the need for MV within 72 hours of life, secondary outcome includes need for MV during first week of life and during hospital stay, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP), need for treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), composite death or BPD and mortality. This is a feasibility trial with the intention to enroll 30 infants in each arm of the study over three years.