Strategies to accelerate weaning from respiratory support.

Because mechanical ventilation is associated with severe complications in premature infants, it is important to limit its duration as much as possible. This can be accomplished by using strategies that preserve spontaneous respiration such as patient triggered and volume target ventilation. The use of respiratory stimulants and nasal CPAP or nasal IPPV after extubation are also effective and improve extubation success. A short course of systemic steroids can also expedite weaning and extubation.