EFFECTIVENESS OF T-PIECE RESUSCITATOR VERSUS SELF-INFLATING BAG DURING BIRTH RESUSCITATION IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS

T-piece resuscitator (TPR) and self-inflating bag (SIB) are two different devices used for positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) during birth resuscitation. However, the effectiveness of TPR has not been clearly demonstrated. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of endotracheal intubation between TPR and SIB for PPV during birth resuscitation in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in infants born with either gestational age <33 weeks or birth weight <1,500 grams and who received PPV during birth resuscitation at Siriraj Hospital during the 2014 and 2016 study period. Medical. charts were reviewed to identify type of device and respiratory outcome. A total of 128 infants were included 67 infants received PPV via TPR and 61 received PPV via SIB.-The TPR group had lower gestational age and lower birth weight than the SIB group (28.6 vs 30.2 weeks; p<0.001 and 1,061.1 vs 1,288.3 g; p<0.001). There was no significant difference in intubation rate between groups (adjusted odds ratio=0.83, 95% confidence interval: 0.38-1.80). However, incidence of mortality or oxygen requirement at 36 weeks postmenstrual age was significantly higher in the TPR group (44.8% vs 25.4%; p=0.02). In conclusion, use of TPR for PPV in VLBW infants did not improve intubation rate during birth resuscitation when compared with SIB.