# Extending CPAP Therapy in Stable Preterm Infants to Increase Lung Growth and Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial

> **NIH NIH R33** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $674,683

## Abstract

Project Summary
Preterm delivery occurs in 10% of all births in the United States and is the most common cause of impaired lung
growth and development, decreased lung function, increased respiratory morbidity, and increased health care
costs throughout childhood. There are currently no known therapies to stimulate lung growth, improve
lung function, and decrease respiratory morbidity after preterm birth. The application of continuous positive
airway pressure (CPAP) early after a preterm birth is the standard of care to stabilize and maintain lung volumes,
avoid intubation, and decrease rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Although early application of CPAP has been well studied, there is little evidence defining the optimal time to
discontinue CPAP in stable convalescing preterm infants. Early use of CPAP may benefit the preterm lung by
minimizing injury; however, our preclinical and clinical data strongly suggest that mechanical stretch of the lung
from CPAP may stimulate lung growth and development. The primary aim of this randomized single center study
is to establish that 2 additional weeks of CPAP in the NICU for stable preterm infants increases alveolar lung
volume and lung diffusing capacity at 6 months of corrected age compared to infants who had CPAP
discontinued as per standard care. Patients will be randomized when they fulfill specific published CPAP stability
criteria for CPAP discontinuation. This research has great public health significance for its potential to change
the standard of respiratory care in the NICU, and minimize the adverse effects of premature birth upon lung
growth and development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10026341
- **Project number:** 4R33HL147906-02
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Cynthia T McEvoy
- **Activity code:** R33 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $674,683
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2020-09-28 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10026341

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10026341, Extending CPAP Therapy in Stable Preterm Infants to Increase Lung Growth and Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial (4R33HL147906-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10026341. Licensed CC0.

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