24 Association of location of intubation procedure and number of tracheal intubation attempts with death or severe neurological injury among very preterm infants

Abstract Background The physiological stress induced by tracheal intubation (TI) is associated with increased risk of neurological injury among very preterm infants. The location of TI procedure and number of attempts required may contribute to adverse outcomes. Objectives We aimed to assess the association of location where TI is performed and the number of TI attempts with death and/or severe neurological injury (SNI) among very preterm infants born <33 weeks and intubated in the first 7 days of life. Design/Methods Retrospective cohort study of 442 infants born 23-32 weeks gestation, admitted to a Level 3 NICU 2015-2018 within the first 7 days of life. We excluded infants who were moribund and the ones with a major congenital anomaly. Data was collected from the Canadian Neonatal Network database and chart review. Exposures were location of TI (delivery room [DR] vs. NICU) and number of TI attempts (1 vs. >1) among infants intubated in the first 7 days of life. Primary outcome was death and/or SNI (intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3-4 and/or periventricular leukomalacia). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between exposures and outcomes and adjust for confounders. Results Rate of intubation was 46% (202/442). Rate of death and/or SNI was 2.5% (6/240) among infants never intubated, 12% (13/105) among NICU TI, 32% (31/97) among DR TI, 20% (17/85) among infants with 1 TI attempt and 23% (27/117) among infants with >1 TI attempt. Rate of premedication use for NICU TI was 97% (102/105). Overall, median number of intubation attempts was 1 [IQR 1-2]. Compared to no TI, TI in the NICU (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.39, 95% CI 1.20-10.53) and TI in the DR (AOR 9.28, 95% CI 3.33-29.43) were associated with higher odds of death and/or SNI. DR TI was associated with higher odds of death and/or SNI compared to NICU TI (AOR 2.73, 95% CI 1.23-6.35). Compared to no TI, 1 TI attempt (AOR 5.25, 95% CI 1.93-15.93) and >1 TI attempt (AOR 5.17, 95% CI 1.93-15.69) were associated with higher odds of death and/or SNI. The number of intubation attempts (1 vs. >1) was not associated with death and/or SNI (AOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.47-2.09). Conclusion Intubated infants have higher odds of death and/or SNI. Among intubated infants, DR TI is associated with higher odds of death and/or SNI vs. TI in the NICU with premedication. Optimizing non-invasive ventilation in the DR may help reduce brain injury in preterm infants.