I would consider intubation of the neonate(<28 days old) to be a very stressful event. This is not only because the size of the patient makes it technically potentially more difficult, but that we know that repeated intubation attempts in neonates is associated with oral trauma, severe oxygen desaturation and resultant bradycardias (1,2)
This trial looked at “whether indirect laryngoscopy with a video laryngoscope would result in increased success on the first attempt at urgent oral endotracheal intubation in neonates“.
The Study
Geraghty L E. Video versus Direct Laryngoscopy for Urgent Intubation of Newborn Infants. NEJM 390;20. May 30 2024 pp 1885-1894.
Bottom Line
Significantly more neonates were succesfully intubated on first attempt with video laryngoscopy (VL) than with direct laryngoscopy (DL)
