Effect of positive end expiratory pressure on functional residual capacity and compliance in surfactant-treated preterm infants

Abstract

In the majority of our infants reduction of PEEP from 0.4 to 0.2 kPa resulted in increases in compliance and CO2 reduction. Our results might suggest that relatively low levels of PEEP < 0.3 kPa may be appropriate at 72 hours after surfactant replacement. Furthermore, these results underline the importance of PEEP test in clinical practice.