Benign gaseous distension of the bowel in premature infants treated with nasal continuous airway pressure: a study of contributing factors.

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Abstract
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) administered as a mixture of oxygen and compressed air via nasal prongs has dramatically improved survival rates and lessened the frequency of barotrauma and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome. Associated with the increased use of nasal CPAP has been the development of marked bowel distension (CPAP belly syndrome), which occurs as the infant's respiratory status improves and the baby becomes more vigorous. To identify contributing factors, we prospectively compared 25 premature infants treated with nasal CPAP with 29 premature infants not treated with nasal CPAP. Infants were followed up for development of distension, defined clinically as bulging flanks, increased abdominal girth, and visibly dilated intestinal loops. We evaluated birth weight, weight at time of distension, method of feeding (oral, orogastric tube), and treatment with nasal CPAP and correlated these factors with radiologic findings. Of the infan...

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