Characteristics of intubation encounters by intervention arm
| DL | VL | |
| N | 48 | 41 |
| PMA at intubation in weeks, median (IQR) | 29.0 (26.0–33.5) | 29.0 (27.0–33.0) |
| Weight at intubation in g, median (IQR) | 1077.5 (755.5–1760.5) | 1220.0 (815.0–1695.0) |
| Cardiorespiratory support prior to intubation*, n (%) | ||
| FiO2>0.21 | 44 (91.7) | 38 (92.7) |
| CPAP | 36 (75.0) | 30 (73.2) |
| Bag-mask ventilation | 26 (54.2) | 23 (56.1) |
| Cardiac compressions | 0 (0.0) | 1 (2.4) |
| Prior intubations, n (%) | 15 (31.3) | 12 (29.3) |
| Stabilisation of patient before intubation†, n (%) | 44 (91.7) | 38 (92.7) |
| Indication for intubation*, n (%) | ||
| Oxygenation failure | 35 (72.9) | 32 (78.1) |
| Respiratory acidosis | 19 (39.6) | 19 (46.3) |
| Apnoea | 15 (31.3) | 10 (24.4) |
| Chest compressions | 0 (0.0) | 2 (4.9) |
| Replacement of endotracheal tube | 1 (2.1) | 1 (2.44) |
| Surfactant administration | 25 (52.1) | 19 (46.3) |
| Tachydyspnoea | 25 (52.1) | 24 (58.5) |
| Upper airway obstruction | 2 (4.2) | 2 (4.9) |
| Elective (surgery, transport) | 3 (6.3) | 2 (4.9) |
| Unplanned extubation | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) |
| Other‡ | 5 (10.4) | 5 (12.2) |
| Nasotracheal intubation, n (%) | 48 (100.0) | 40 (97.6) |
| Intubation in delivery room, n (%) | 19 (39.6) | 17 (41.5) |
| Intubation in NICU, n (%) | 29 (60.4) | 24 (58.5) |
| Emergency intubation§, n (%) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (9.7) |
| Premedication, n (%) | ||
| No premedication | 4 (8.3) | 2 (4.9) |
| Fentanyl only | 2 (4.2) | 1 (2.4) |
| Midazolam only | 1 (2.1) | 0 (0.0) |
| Fentanyl and midazolam | 20 (41.7) | 20 (48.8) |
| Fentanyl, midazolam and vecuronium | 21 (43.8) | 18 (43.9) |
| First attempt proceduralist, n (%) | ||
| Paediatric resident | 28 (58.3) | 23 (56.1) |
| Neonatologist | 10 (20.8) | 11 (26.8) |
| Physician experience¶, n (%) | ||
| <10 intubations | 15 (31.9) | 13 (31.7) |
| ≥10 intubations | 32 (68.1) | 28 (68.3) |
| Neonatal nurse experience**, n (%) | ||
| <10 intubations | 10 (22.2) | 7 (17.5) |
| ≥10 intubations | 35 (77.8) | 33 (82.5) |
*Multiple selections allowed.
†Stabilisation of an infant was defined as SaO2>90% and HR>100/min.
‡Other indications included pneumothorax, abdominal distension, choanal atresia, endotracheal tube obstruction.
§Intubation required to immediately secure the airway.
¶Data available for 88 out of 89 intubation encounters.
**Data available for 85 out of 89 intubation encounters.
CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure; DL, direct laryngoscopy; FiO2, fraction of inspired oxygen; HR, heart rate; NICU, neonatal intensive care unit; PMA, postmenstrual age; SaO2, oxygen saturation; VL, video laryngoscopy.