Abstract

A controlled study was performed to assess the effect of early assisted ventilation using a tight fitting face mask. Early mask ventilation reduced the number of infants requiring intubation, but did not significantly alter the survival rate.

Complications were seen in infants during both mask ventilation and ventilation with a naso-tracheal tube. Persistent radiological changes were seen in 5 of 9 infants who survived after ventilation for more than 5 days..