Optimum levels of CPAP for tracheal extubation of newborn infants.

Arterial oxygen tension and functional residual capacity were studied in 16 intubated, spontaneously breathing newborn infants recovering from respiratory disease. Studies were made at 2 cm H2O continuous positive airway pressure, at zero end expiratory pressure, and following extubation. The study showed that PaO2 and FRC at 2 cm H2O CPAP were the same as observed following extubation, but that both values were significantly lower at ZEEP.