Growth and Respiratory Outcomes
NRS
Weight growth between randomization and time to reach FEF was similar in the 2 groups, with a mean difference of 0.81 g/kg per day (95% CI, −1.50 to 3.12 g/kg/d). The mean number of days that the assigned NRS was maintained was shorter in the NCPAP group than in the HHHFNC group (8.9 [95% CI, 6.8-11.8] days vs 12.1 [95% CI, 9.6-15.2] days). Between randomization and time to reach FEF, 83 infants (68.0%) in the NCPAP group and 76 infants (60.8%) in the HHHFNC group changed or discontinued their assigned NRS. Specifically, at the first change of NRS, 14 infants (16.9%) who were treated with NCPAP vs 18 infants (23.7%) who were treated with HHHFNC required more invasive respiratory support (ie, mechanical ventilation or noninvasive intermittent positive-pressure ventilation). This change was needed later at a mean of 7.3 days (95% CI, 3.0-17.0 days) in the NCPAP group compared with 3.7 days (95% CI, 1.5-8.7 days) in the HHHFNC group after randomization. Forty-eight infants (57.8%) in the NCPAP group vs 35 infants (46.1%) in the HHHFNC group had improvement and discontinued any respiratory support at a mean of 4.9 days (95% CI, 3.5-6.9 days) and 9.1 days (95% CI, 6.7-12.4 days), respectively, after randomization (Forty-four infants changed NRS groups. The number of patients who switched due to treatment ineffectiveness was lower in the NCPAP group compared with the HHHFNC group (1 [4.8%] vs 17 [73.9%]; 