Neonatal Nursing and Maternal Healthcare

Neonatal Respiratory Support

Neonatal respiratory support is a critical component of care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), especially for preterm infants and those with respiratory distress or congenital lung conditions. Due to the immaturity of their lungs, many newborns struggle with breathing difficulties that require specialized interventions. The primary goals of neonatal respiratory support are to maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation, reduce the work of breathing, and minimize lung injury.

Providing respiratory support to neonates involves several challenges, including the need to balance effective oxygenation and ventilation with the risk of lung injury. Careful monitoring and adjustment of support levels are crucial to prevent complications such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung condition often associated with long-term mechanical ventilation.