Effects of Closed-loop Automatic Control of FiO2 in Extremely Preterm Infants

Approximately 0.5% of all neonates (i.e., about 25,000 infants per year in Europe) are extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs), i.e. have a gestational age (GA) of \<28 completed weeks at birth. ELGANs have higher incidences of mortality, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), chronic lung disease and other risks of prematurity as well as severe neurodevelopmental impairment. The vast majority of ELGANs require supplemental oxygen in addition to mechanical respiratory support (including CPAP). Irrespective of the SpO2 target, the vast majority of ELGANs suffers from recurrent intermittent hypoxemic and (as a consequence of inappropriate adjustments of FiO2) hyperoxemic episodes. Recurrent intermittent hypoxic episodes - i.e. wide fluctuations in oxygen levels - are associated with an increased risk of ROP and there are data that suggest that late deaths and neurodevelopmental impairment are also linked to them. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to reduce extubation failure in preterm infants, which may in part be due to a reduced frequency and severity of apnea of prematurity and stabilized functional residual capacity during apnea. Keeping oxygen levels (i.e., SpO2) stable despite irregular breathing patterns in ELGANs, requires frequent adjustments of the FiO2 which is both challenging, time consuming, and often impossible due to limited personnel resources. FiO2-Controllers have been developed by several manufacturers of infant ventilators. They reduce the burden of hyper-/hypoxemia in infants while being safe and accurate in very short-term studies. The effects of FiO2-C on clinically relevant outcome measures and the safety of long-term continuous application, however, have yet to be elucidated. Hence there is now a window of opportunity to assess this new technology for benefits and harms, before it is implemented into neonatal care without appropriate evaluation of its safety and efficacy.