Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42498826›Full record

SynthesisPediatric research2026

Meta-analysis of nasal interfaces versus face mask during respiratory support at birth in less than 37 weeks' gestation infants.

Emediong E Idung, Megan O'Reilly, Chelsea M D Morin, Georg M Schmölzer

Abstract readSystematic Review
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In one paragraph

Synthesis in Pediatric research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Emediong E IdungCentre for the Studies of Asphyxia and Resuscitation, Neonatal Research Unit, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Megan O'ReillyCentre for the Studies of Asphyxia and Resuscitation, Neonatal Research Unit, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Chelsea M D MorinCentre for the Studies of Asphyxia and Resuscitation, Neonatal Research Unit, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Georg M SchmölzerCentre for the Studies of Asphyxia and Resuscitation, Neonatal Research Unit, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada. georg.schmoelzer@me.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9798-2415

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundApproximately 10% of neonates require respiratory support at birth. Face mask is most commonly used during positive pressure ventilation, but the nasal interface may offer a more effective alternative. We conducted an updated meta-analysis to compare the effect of using a nasal interface versus face mask on mortality in preterm infants (<37 weeks' gestation) requiring respiratory support at birth.

methodsWe systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to November 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing nasal interface and face mask during delivery room (DR) stabilization of infants <37 weeks' gestation. The primary outcome measure was neonatal death (<28 days) before hospital discharge.

resultsSeven RCTs including 1270 infants were analyzed. There was no significant difference in neonatal death between nasal interface and face mask (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.57-1.23; P = 0.37, I² = 0%). However, nasal interface significantly reduced DR intubations compared with face mask (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51-0.90; P = 0.007, I² = 32%).

conclusionsIn preterm infants <37 weeks' gestation, the choice of interface did not affect neonatal mortality, but the use of a nasal interface was associated with fewer DR intubations. IMPACT: Nasal interfaces significantly reduce delivery room intubation in preterm infants without increasing mortality or major neonatal morbidities compared with face mask ventilation. Using a nasal interface compared during respiratory support at birth may be associated with a potentially clinically meaningful reduction in delivery room intubation, with a preserved safety profile. Adoption of nasal interfaces during delivery room stabilization may decrease early delivery room intubation. Reducing early intubation may support smoother cardiopulmonary transition and minimize procedure-related instability in vulnerable preterm infants. These findings provide evidence to inform practice recommendations and justify larger implementation studies evaluating long-term respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.