Studying Electrical Impedance Tomography to Find the Best Breathing Support Pressure for Newborns on Respiratory Support

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how to find the best level of positive end-expiratory pressure PEEP for newborn infants who need respiratory support. This study focuses on infants between 22 weeks and 41 weeks and 6 days gestational age who require mechanical ventilation. The goal is to improve understanding of how to adjust PEEP to reduce lung injury and long-term breathing problems. The study uses three diagnostic tools to measure lung function electrical impedance tomography EIT, forced oscillation technique FOT, and the saturation oxygenation pressure index SOPI. These tools help track lung aeration, lung mechanics, and oxygenation effects depending on PEEP. Measurements happen once daily for the first three days of respiratory support and then weekly if the infant remains on ventilation, with an extra measurement after extubation. Participants will have lung function assessed regularly through these non-invasive methods. The research team will monitor changes in composite scores from EIT, FOT, and SOPI, as well as other lung function measures like tidal volume and respiratory rate. Data is collected during mechanical ventilation and after extubation, typically over about one month. This monitoring aims to identify the optimal PEEP settings to support newborn lung health safely.

Electrical Impedance Tomography for Identification of Optimal Positive End-expiratory Pressure in Newborn Infants