OSCILLO-oscillating air mattress in neonatal care of very preterm babies.

In this pilot study a new device for respiratory stimulation with undulating oscillations and high frequency vibrations via an air mattress was tested as an additional therapy in 12 preterm infants with recurrent apnoeic episodes. The mean birthweight of the study population was 1760 g and gestational age 31.1 weeks. it was shown that an oscillating air mattress is an effective additional mode of treatment for apnoeic episodes in preterm infants. There was a clear reduction in rate of apnoeas in all 12 infants being transitory in 2 and more persistent in 10 infants. Besides restlessness in a few cases no side effects were observed. Whether this mode of treatment could lessen the need for drug medication with xanthines will require a larger randomized investigation.