Incidence and risks associated with nasal injury in newborns undergoing noninvasive ventilation through the binasal prong

Abstract

Nasal injuries due to the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) prongs have become increasingly common adverse events in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). The goal of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors associated with this type of nasal injury in newborns (NB). It was collected data in the patient records, and in the Assistance Management System of Unified Health System (UHS) of NB who have required NIV from 01/01/2013 to 12/31/2014, in a public hospital from the south of Brazil. The parameters analyzed were: gender, birth body mass, Apgar index and length of stay with NIV. In total, 158 NB have used a NIV along that period. The incidence of injury reached 41.14%, and the main responsible variables were: gestational age, body mass at birth and length of stay in the NIV were statistically significant (p <0.05) for the development of the nasal injury. It was concluded that these factors constitute the main risk factors in developing nasal injuries.