Infants ventilated using VTV modes had reduced rates of death or BPD, pneumothoraces, hypocarbia, severe cranial ultrasound pathologies and duration of ventilation compared with infants ventilated using PLV modes. Further studies are needed to identify whether VTV modes improve neurodevelopmental outcomes and to compare and refine VTV strategies.

Infants ventilated using VTV modes had reduced death and chronic lung disease compared with infants ventilated using PLV modes. Further studies are needed to identify whether VTV modes improve neurodevelopmental outcomes and to compare and refine VTV strategies.

Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) is important for neonatal ventilation but is not considered in guidelines for resuscitation. Our aim was to investigate the effects of PEEP on cardiorespiratory parameters during resuscitation of very premature lambs delivered by hysterotomy at~125 d gestation (term 147 d). Before delivery, they were intubated and lung fluid was drained. Immediately after delivery, they were ventilated with a Dräger Babylog plus ventilator in volume guarantee mode with a tidal volume of 5 mL/kg. Lambs were randomized to receive 0, 4, 8, or 12 cm H 2 O of PEEP. They were ventilated for a 15-min resuscitation period followed by 2 h of stabilization at the same PEEP. Tidal volume, peak inspiratory pressure, PEEP, arterial pressure, oxygen saturation, and blood gases were measured regularly, and respiratory system compliance and alveolar/ arterial oxygen differences were calculated. Lambs that received 12 cm H 2 O of PEEP died from pneumothoraces; all others survived without pneumothoraces. Oxygenation was significantly improved by 8 and 12 cm H 2 O of PEEP compared with 0 and 4 cm H 2 O of PEEP. Lambs with 0 PEEP did not oxygenate adequately. The compliance of the respiratory system was significantly higher at 4 and 8 cm H 2 O of PEEP than at 0 PEEP. There were no significant differences in partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood between groups. Arterial pressure was highest with 8 cm H 2 O of PEEP, and there was no cardiorespiratory compromise at any level of PEEP. Applying PEEP during resuscitation of very premature infants might be advantageous and merits further investigation. At birth, the lungs of premature infants are completely airless, fluid filled, surfactant deficient, and noncompliant. It is common for these infants to require ventilation after birth. The recommended technique of resuscitating infants is with a neonatal resuscitation bag (1,2) connected to a face mask or endotracheal tube. The most common devices used do not provide positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) and therefore may contribute to atelectasis, acute lung injury (3), and hyaline membrane formation. Although PEEP valves are available for self-inflating resuscitation bags, they are not in common use or recommended. PEEP and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

ESBL outbreaks in NICUs are associated with significant mortality and prolonged disruption. Understaffing is a major risk factor, but is infrequently addressed by interventions. Poor infection-control procedures are frequently implicated as contributing to ESBL spread. Better reporting of outbreaks may help clarify the role for routine ESBL screening in NICUs.