PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to analysis the effects of nasal Continuous Postive Airway Pressure (nCPAP) for preterm infants using systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
Thirteen peer-reviewed journals including preterm infants and apnea and nCPAP published between 1973 and 2013 were included. Effect size and statistics of homogeneity were done using STATA 10.0.
RESULTS
The design for 9 studies was Randomized Control Trial. In most of studies the pressure of nCPAP was set to 4-6 cmH2O. The effect size of 5 studies for the effect on apnea rate using nCPAP compared to nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilator (nIPPV) showed that the Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) was -0.11 and was not significantly different (Z=0.41, p=.680). But the difference in nCPAP for nasal Synchronizes Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilator (nSIPPV) (subgroup) was significant (SMD=-.44). The effect size of 7 studies on effect for ventilator weaning of using nCPAP compared to nIPPV showed the Risk Ratio (RR) as 1.60 and was not significantly different (Z=1.12, p=.268). But the difference between nCPAP and nSIPPV (subgroup) was significant (RR=3.94).
CONCLUSION
The results indicate a need for an advanced care system and suggest continuous studies of apnea in preterm infants.