PASSIVE COMPLIANCE IS A MORE ACCURATE PREDICTOR OF POOR OUTCOME THAN VENTILATOR REQUIREMENTS IN VENTILATED INFANTS

We examined accuracy in prediction of a poor outcome (severe BPD i.e. ventilated at 28 days or death) using passive respiratory mechanics. Infants (BW >1000 g) who were ventilated on day 1 of life were examined serially. Length corrected compliance (Crs:ml/cmH2O/m) was compared in accuracy to other predictors: BW (g). Ventilation Index (VI) [FiO2 (%) x mean airway pressure (cmH2O)]. Out of 89 infants enrolled, 41 were still ventilated by day 6. On day 1, 75 infants were measured, 34 were measured on either days 5 or 6. Eleven infants had a poor outcome (1 death, 10 severe BPD).Results: Of the predictors tested, Crs is the best by days 5-6.