AIM: We investigated current practices of primary ventilation of preterm and term infants directly after birth in hospitals across all levels of neonatal care in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. METHODS: Invitations to an electronic survey were sent to all hospitals with maternity wards in these three countries. Results were compared across countries and gestational age (GA) groups. RESULTS: 240 out of 769 (31%) contacted hospitals participated. Most hospitals used T-piece resuscitators for term infants (85%). Use of mechanical ventilators increased with decreasing GA (term: 7%, moderate-to-late preterm (MLP, GA 32-36 weeks): 11%, very preterm (GA < 32 weeks): 23%). In very preterm infants, extended inspiratory times of 1-5 s were the preferred method of initial ventilation (56%), followed by inspiratory times < 1 s (36%). Initial positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) increased with decreasing GA; median (interquartile range, IQR) PEEP for term infants 5.0 cmH(2)O (5.0-6.0 cmH(2)O), for MLP 6.0 cmH(2)O (5.0-6.0 cmH(2)O), and for very preterm infants 6.0 cmH(2)O (5.0-8.0 cmH(2)O). Laryngeal masks were used in 14% of centres as the preferred alternative airway for term infants. CONCLUSION: We found considerable differences across and within participating countries and GA groups in the primary respiratory support during delivery room stabilization of newborn infants.
