USE OF CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE (CPAP) IN PRETERM NEWBORNS: LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: A premature patient is one born before 37 complete weeks of gestation, presenting distinct characteristics in relation to full-term babies. Their physiological immaturity can result in respiratory, nutritional and neurological challenges, requiring intensive and specialized care to ensure their healthy development. In addition to physical therapy, the use of respiratory support is often necessary for premature newborns who present significant respiratory difficulties. Objective: This study consisted of investigating the effectiveness of CPAP as respiratory support therapy in premature newborns between 24 and 32 weeks in the neonatal ICU. Methodology: A literature review study will be carried out by searching for publications in the following platforms: SciELO, and PubMed. To delimit the field of investigation, the following articles were identified in the languages between Portuguese and English, based on the filter between the years 2014 to 2024, the selection was based on reading the title, abstract and descriptors such as: Positive pressure; CPAP; Preterm; Newborn. Randomized clinical trials, experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical and systemic articles were included. Duplicate articles in the database, bibliographic review articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria, were published outside the stipulated time window, duplicate articles or were incomplete were excluded. Results: A total of 52 articles were found, based on the exclusion criteria, only 12 articles were selected. In categories A3, B1, B2 with results from field research and case studies. Conclusion: The use of continuous positive pressure, contralateral block, increased tidal volume, accelerated expiratory flow and bronchial hygiene is emphasized. Therefore, physiotherapeutic procedures are extremely important in reversing atelectasis, improving gas exchange, consequently optimizing the clinical outcome of this population.