Heated and humidified inspired gas through heated humidifiers in comparison to non-heated and non-humidified gas in hospitalised neonates receiving respiratory support (Protocol)

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To determine the effects of heated and humidified inspiratory gas through heated humidifiers (HHs) compared to non-heated and non-humidified inspiratory gas on mortality and morbidity in neonates receiving respiratory support during resuscitation immediately after birth and after the initial resuscitation. Comparison 1: Heated and humidified inspiratory gas through heated humidifiers (HHs) compared to non-heated and non-humidified inspiratory gas on mortality and morbidity in neonates receiving respiratory support during resuscitation immediately after birth. Proposed subgroup analyses: Gestational age: < 30 weeks, 30-36 weeks, 37 weeks and over; Mode of respiratory support (e.g. mask continuous positive airway pressure, mask intermittent positive pressure ventilation, endotracheal intermittent positive pressure ventilation). Comparison 2: Heated and humidified inspiratory gas through heated humidifiers (HHs) compared to non-heated and non-humidified inspiratory gas on mortality and morbidity in neonates receiving respiratory support after initial resuscitation. Proposed subgroup analyses: Gestational age: < 30 weeks, 30-36 weeks, 37 weeks and over; Mode of respiratory support (e.g. low flow oxygen, high flow nasal cannula, nasal continuous positive airway pressure, nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation, conventional mechanical ventilation, high frequency ventilation). Sites of intervention: Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), operating theatre or neonatal transport. Underlying respiratory conditions: respiratory distress syndrome, apnoea of prematurity, meconium aspiration syndrome, perinatal asphyxia, pneumonia.