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Automated Versus Manual Control Of Oxygen For Preterm Infants On Continuous Positive Airway Pressure In Nigeria

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Neonatal Respiratory Distress Related Conditions
Neonatal Respiratory Failure
Oxygen Toxicity
Prematurity
Registration Number
NCT05508308
Lead Sponsor
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Brief Summary

One in ten babies are born preterm (\<37 weeks gestation) globally. Complications of prematurity are the leading cause of death in children under 5 years, with the highest mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Low flow oxygen, and respiratory support - where an oxygen/air mixture is delivered under pressure - are life saving therapies for these babies. Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (bCPAP) is the mainstay of neonatal respiratory support in SSA.

Oxygen in excess can damage the immature eyes (Retinopathy of Prematurity \[ROP\]) and lungs (Chronic Lung Disease) of preterm babies. Historically, in well-resourced settings, excessive oxygen administration to newborns has been associated with 'epidemics' of ROP associated blindness. Today, with increasing survival of preterm babies in SSA, and increasing access to oxygen and bCPAP, there are concerns about an emerging epidemic of ROP. Manually adjusting the amount of oxygen provided to an infant on bCPAP is difficult, and fearing the risks of hypoxaemia (low oxygen levels) busy health workers often accept hyperoxaemia (excessive oxygen levels). Some well resourced neonatal intensive care units globally have adopted Automated Oxygen Control (AOC), where a computer uses a baby's oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2) to frequently adjust how much oxygen is provided, targetting a safe SpO2 range. This technology has never been tested in SSA, or partnered with bCPAP devices that would be more appropriate for SSA.

This study aims to compare AOC coupled with a low cost and robust bCPAP device (Diamedica Baby CPAP) - OxyMate - with manual control of oxygen for preterm babies on bCPAP in two hospitals in south west Nigeria. The hypothesis is that OxyMate can significantly and safely increase the proportion of time preterm infants on bCPAP spend in safe oxygen saturation levels.

Detailed Description

Trial description: A randomised cross-over trial of manual versus automated control of oxygen (OxyMate) for preterm infants on bCPAP. This trial will use an established technology (automated oxygen titration algorithm, VDL1.1) partnered with a low-cost bCPAP device in a low-resource setting. It will involve preterm infants requiring bCPAP respiratory support with allocation to OxyMate or manual oxygen control for consecutive 24 h periods in random sequence.

Objectives: This trial seeks to examine safety and potential efficacy of our automated oxygen configuration (OxyMate) in preterm infants in a setting characterised by financial constraints, workforce limitations, and underdeveloped infrastructure, and assess contextual feasibility and appropriateness to inform future definitive clinical trials and product development.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
49
Inclusion Criteria
  • <34 weeks gestation (or birth weight < 2kg if gestation not known)
  • ≥12 hours old
  • Receiving CPAP support and supplemental oxygen (FiO2 >0.21) for respiratory insufficiency
  • Projected requirement for CPAP and oxygen therapy for > 48 hours
Exclusion Criteria
  • Deemed likely to fail CPAP in the next 48 hours
  • Deemed clinically unstable or recommended for palliation by treating team
  • Cause of hypoxaemia likely to be non-respiratory - e.g. cyanotic heart disease
  • Informed consent from parent/guardians not obtained

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proportion of time in target SpO2 rangeMeasured for each 24 hour study epoch

Proportion of time (over total recorded time) in the target SpO2 range (91-95%, or 91-100% when in room air). Measured as %time

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Length of stayUp to 4 weeks post enrollment

Measured in days

Proportion of time in severe hypoxaemiaMeasured for each 24 hour study epoch

Proportion of time (over total recorded time) with SpO2 \<80% (severe hypoxaemia). Measured as %time

CostsMeasured at completion of OxyMate study: an estimated 20 weeks

Total costs of prototype system (Diamedica +/- Automated Oxygen control - OxyMate)

Proportion of time in target SpO2 range when receiving supplemental oxygenMeasured for each 24 hour study epoch

Proportion of time (over total recorded time) in SpO2 target range (91-95%) when receiving supplemental oxygen. Measured as %time when receiving oxygen

Proportion of time in hypoxaemiaMeasured for each 24 hour study epoch

Proportion of time (over total recorded time) with SpO2\<90% (hypoxaemia). Measured as %time

No response to prolonged severe hypoxaemia (frequency)Measured for each 24 hour study epoch

Number of periods of no FiO2 increment for ≥30 seconds with SpO2 \<80% (i.e. failure to respond to severe hypoxaemia). Measured as episodes per hour

Time on low flow oxygenCompleted for each participant at end of their study period: 49 hours from study commencement

Duration of time on low-flow oxygen therapy. Measured in hours

Frequency of prolonged hypoxaemia episodesMeasured for each 24 hour study epoch

Frequency of 30 seconds episodes with SpO2 continuously \<80% (severe hypoxaemic episodes). Measured as episodes per hour

Proportion of time in hyperoxaemiaMeasured for each 24 hour study epoch

Proportion of time (over total recorded time) with SpO2 \>96% when receiving supplemental oxygen (hyperoxaemia). Measured as %time when receiving oxygen

Severe hypoxaemia with bradycardia (frequency)Measured for each 24 hour study epoch

Number of periods with SpO2 \<80% for ≥30 seconds with any bradycardia (heart rate \<100 bpm). Measured as episodes per hour

Acceptability and usabilityCompleted for each participant (health workers) at end of an infant's study period (49 hours). Results recorded for unique health workers through to OxyMate study completion: estimated 20 weeks

Mean/median user acceptability score (total and per question) on Likert scale from structured questionnaire. Scores range from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) with posed statement or question

Duration of CPAP and oxygen therapyCompleted for each participant at end of their study period: 49 hours from study commencement

Duration of time on CPAP with supplemental oxygen. Measured in hours

Final discharge outcomeUp to 4 weeks post enrollment

Measured as categorical outcome (died in hospital, discharged well, discharged against medical advice, other)

Device malfunctionMeasured through to OxyMate study completion: estimated 20 weeks

Number of OxyMate malfunction events

CPAP in room airCompleted for each participant at end of their study period: 49 hours from study commencement

Duration of time on CPAP in room air. Measured in hours

Proportion of time in severe hyperoxaemiaMeasured for each 24 hour study epoch

Proportion of time (over total recorded time) with SpO2 \>98% when receiving supplemental oxygen (severe hyperoxaemia). Measured as %time when receiving oxygen

Frequency of prolonged hyperoxaemia episodesMeasured for each 24 hour study epoch

Frequency of 30 seconds episodes with SpO2 continuously \>96% (hyperoxaemic episodes). Measured as episodes per hour

Manual FiO2 adjustmentsMeasured for each 24 hour study epoch

Frequency of manual FiO2 adjustments. Measured as FiO2 adjustments/hour

No response to prolonged severe hypoxaemia (duration)Measured for each 24 hour study epoch

Duration of periods of no FiO2 increment for ≥30 seconds with SpO2 \<80% (i.e. failure to respond to severe hypoxaemia). Measured as mean duration per episode

Severe hypoxaemia with bradycardia (duration)Measured for each 24 hour study epoch

Duration of periods with SpO2 \<80% for ≥30 seconds with any bradycardia (heart rate \<100 bpm). Measured as mean duration per episode

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Sacred Heart Hospital

🇳🇬

Lantoro, Abeokuta, Nigeria

University College Hospital

🇳🇬

Agodi, Ibadan, Nigeria

Sacred Heart Hospital
🇳🇬Lantoro, Abeokuta, Nigeria
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