The moment after birth is characterized by huge changes in lung physiology inclduing the need to transition from a liquid-filled to an air-filled lung to allow gas exchange via the lung. Very preterm infants have a high chest wall compliance but a low lung compliance making them prone to lung collapse and lung injury. All very preterm infants require some form of respiratory support, but the best level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) after birth remains unknown.
The LEOPARD trial will assess whether in very preterm infants between 24 and 32 weeks gestational age, the provision of a higher PEEP of 10-12 cmH2O for the first ten minutes after birth is superior than a lower PEEP of 5-7 cmH2O during the first ten minutes after birth. We will collect physiological and clinical data from approximately 225 infants, the exact sample size calculation is currently ongoing, the study protocol will be published and the trial will be registered before inclusion of the first patient.
