High flow nasal cannula therapy

Added: 2026-05-08

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) delivers humidified gas mixtures at 2-8 L/min for newborns (up to 30 L/min for older children) with a 50% leak, generating PEEP dependent on flow rate, prong size, and baby size; while HFNC is comparable to CPAP at extubation for babies over 28 weeks gestation and 1.3-1.4 kg, CPAP or NIPPV is preferred for extreme preterm babies (<28 weeks) and as primary respiratory support due to HFNC's limited pressure escalation capability and unmeasured pressure delivery, with HFNC being valuable for labor room stabilization and intubation assistance.