Determining the best time to stop CPAP for premature infants

Flow and Grow - A CPAP Management Strategy for Preterm Infants to Support Lung Growth. A Randomized, Prospective, Multi-center Study

NA · University of California, San Diego · NCT06123143

This study is testing the best time to stop using CPAP for premature babies born very early to see if it helps them breathe better and stay healthy.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment130 (estimated)
AgesN/A to 30 Weeks
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Diego (other)
Locations5 sites (Escondido, California and 4 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06123143 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the optimal timing for weaning Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in extremely low birth weight infants born before 30 weeks of gestation. It is a multicenter, non-blinded, randomized control trial conducted across four Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) within the Rady Children's/University of California, San Diego network. The study aims to recruit 130 infants and will compare the duration of respiratory support and oxygen exposure between those following a structured weaning protocol and those weaned earlier. The goal is to reduce CPAP weaning failure rates and improve outcomes for these vulnerable infants.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are infants born at less than 30 weeks gestational age who are admitted to participating NICUs.

Not a fit: Patients with congenital anomalies or complications requiring long-term support, or those intubated for over 28 days, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved respiratory outcomes and reduced rates of chronic lung disease in premature infants.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that delaying CPAP weaning can significantly reduce failure rates, suggesting that this approach may be beneficial.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. All infants admitted to the NICU at Jacobs, Rancho Springs, Scripps La Jolla, Rady Children's Hospital, or Palomar born at \< 30 weeks CGA
2. Informed parental consent obtained

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Declined or unable to give informed consent
2. Infants with known congenital anomalies or complications that require long term support (pulmonary hypoplasia, airway defects, genetic syndromes, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP), anything surgical)
3. Intubated for over 4 weeks of life (28 days)

Where this trial is running

Escondido, California and 4 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Neonatal Respiratory Failure, Neonatal, CPAP

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.