Use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure to treat severe recurrent apnoea in very preterm infants.

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (C.P.A.P.) of 2-3 mm Hg abolished or reduced the incidence of severe apnoeic attacks in 5 very preterm newborn infants. It is postulated that C.P.A.P. provides a respiratory drive by reflexly stimulating the infant's pulmonary stretch receptors.