After birth, the newborn is no longer supplied with oxygen via the umbilical cord and must start breathing. A smooth transition during this period is very important for survival without long-term disability, especially in very preterm infants. It is therefore essential to optimize this transitional period in order to give these children the best possible start into life.

The most important part of this transition period is lung aeration. Very preterm infants need respiratory support after birth because their breathing is insufficient. Due to their very immature and vulnerable lungs it is important to support lung aeration with quick and effective but also lung-protective strategies. 

During this research project clinical studies are performed to investigate whether and which types of ventilation leads to faster lung aeration during the transition period after birth in very preterm infants without causing harm. It is nowadays possible to synchronize mechanical inflations with the infant’s breathing effort. This physiological form of ventilation seems to be more effective and lung protective and will be one of our scientific interests. In addition, new innovative imaging techniques for real-time determination of lung ventilation will be used in our research projects, which may provide new, promising insights.