Sleep-Wake Cycle in Newborns with 28 - 32 Weeks of Gestation: A Comparative Study of Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and Nasal Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation

Sleep is a central component of brain development. Preterm neonates follow an exclusive sleep-wake rhythm in a way that they can sleep up to 22 hours per day, 70% of which is spent during active sleep. Sleep can create a period of time for the production of active neurotransmitters, which can enhance brain development flexibility.

It is a matter of controversy whether the widespread use of nonsynchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in neonatal intensive care units and the concerns over the use of nonrespiratory support can affect the quantity and quality of the sleep-wake cycle (SWC). Therefore, the current study aimed to compare two types of intervention, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) and NIPPV, during the SWC.

The present randomized controlled trial crossover study was conducted on neonates with 28 - 32 weeks of gestation receiving nCPAP who had been administered surfactant after being diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome in Shahid Beheshti hospital in Isfahan, Iran, within March 2018 to August 2020. The SWC was monitored using cerebral function monitoring for all study participants.

The present study showed no significant difference between the number of SWCs during nCPAP and NIPPV. The duration of SWCs when participants received nCPAP was significantly higher than when they received NIPPV intervention. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep duration was significantly longer during nCPAP respiratory support. Furthermore, NonREM sleep duration was significantly longer in nCPAP respiratory support.

Noninvasive respiratory support modes can affect the SWC, with nCPAP being the favored in the present study. Nonetheless, further studies are required to be performed in this regard.