Automated versus Manual Oxygen Control with Different Saturation Targets and Modes of Respiratory Support in Preterm Infants.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of automated adjustment of the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) in maintaining arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) within a higher (91%-95%) and a lower (89%-93%) target range in preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN: Eighty preterm infants (gestational age [median]: 26 weeks, age [median] 18 days) on noninvasive (n = 50) and invasive (n = 30) respiratory support with supplemental oxygen, were first randomized to one of the SpO2 target ranges and then treated with automated FiO2 (A-FiO2) and manual FiO2 (M-FiO2) oxygen control for 24 hours each, in random sequence.

RESULTS: The percent time within the target range was higher during A-FiO2 compared with M-FiO2 control. This effect was more pronounced in the lower SpO2 target range (62 ± 17% vs 54 ± 16%, P < .001) than in the higher SpO2 target range (62 ± 17% vs 58 ± 15%, P < .001). The percent time spent below the target or in hypoxemia (SpO2 <80%) was consistently reduced during A-FiO2, independent of the target range. The time spent above the target range or at extreme hyperoxemia (SpO2 >98%) was only reduced during A-FiO2 when targeting the lower SpO2 range (89%-93%). These outcomes did not differ between infants on noninvasive and invasive respiratory support. Manual adjustments were significantly reduced during A-FiO2 control.

CONCLUSIONS: A-FiO2 control improved SpO2 targeting across different SpO2 ranges and reduced hypoxemia in preterm infants on noninvasive and invasive respiratory support.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN 56626482.