Predictors of extubation outcomes among extremely and very preterm infants: a retrospective cohort study

Objective: To explore the clinical or sociodemographic predictors for both successful and failed extubation among Chinese extremely and very preterm infants Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out among extremely and very preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestational age (GA). Results: Compared with the infants who experienced extubation failure, the successful infants had higher birth weight (OR 0.997; CI 0.996–0.998), higher GA (OR 0.582; 95% CI 0.499–0.678), a caesarean section delivery (OR 0.598; 95% CI 0.380–0.939), a higher five-minute Apgar score (OR 0.501; 95% CI 0.257–0.977), and a higher pH prior to extubation (OR 0.008; 95% CI 0.001–0.058). Failed extubation was associated with older mothers (OR 1.055; 95% CI 1.013–1.099), infants intubated in the delivery room (OR 2.820; 95% CI 1.742–4.563), a higher fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) prior to extubation (OR 5.246; 95% CI 2.540–10.835), higher partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO₂) prior to extubation (OR 7.820; 95% CI 3.725–16.420), and higher amounts of lactic acid (OR 1.478;95% CI 1.063–2.056). Conclusions: Higher GA, higher pre-extubation pH, lower pre-extubation FiO₂ and PCO, and lower age at extubation are significant predictors of successful extubation among extremely and very preterm infants.