Guideline
Specialist neonatal respiratory care for babies born preterm
This guideline covers specific aspects of respiratory support (for example, oxygen supplementation, assisted ventilation, treatment of some respiratory disorders, and aspects of monitoring) for preterm babies in hospital.
Preterm babies are at risk of respiratory disorders, including respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). High-quality respiratory care can reduce the length of hospital stay and risk of long-term disability. BPD is particularly common in preterm babies who require assisted ventilation. Babies with BPD need prolonged specialist care and respiratory support.