Episodes of hypo- and hypercapnia in a cohort of mechanically ventilated VLBW infants: the role of adequate staffing.

In preterm neonates, the use of invasive ventilation may be mandatory because of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In this short communication, we demonstrate that invasive ventilation in this susceptible cohort may be associated with episodes of both hypo- and hypercapnia, and that inadequate ventilatory support is associated with the occurrence rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; p < 0.05). Also, inadequate mechanical ventilation is aggravated by a shortage of medical staff.