Which PEEP level saves preemie lungs? major trial seeks answer

NCT ID NCT04372953

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study compares two ways of giving breathing support (PEEP) to very premature babies right after birth. One method uses a steady pressure, the other starts high then lowers it. The goal is to see which approach reduces the chance of death or chronic lung disease. Over 900 babies born between 23 and 28 weeks are taking part.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) via CPAP or ventilation

What this could lead to

If it works, this could identify the best way to support premature babies' breathing at birth, potentially reducing death or long-term lung disease.

What could go wrong

This is a large trial but still early-stage for clinical practice. The two PEEP strategies may show no clear difference, and results may not apply to all preterm infants.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute lung injury bronchopulmonary dysplasia Lung Injury Premature Birth

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

LUNG INJURY PRETERM BIRTH

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Academic Teaching Hospital

Feldkirch, 6800, Austria
Amalia Children's Hospital Radboudumc

Nijmegen, 6500, Netherlands
Amsterdam University Medical Centre

Amsterdam, 1105, Netherlands
Antoine Beclere Medical Center / South Paris University Hospitals

Paris, France
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

Birmingham, England, B9 5SS, United Kingdom
Careggi Hospital

Florence, Italy
Filippo del Ponte Hospital

Varese, Milan, 21100, Italy
Gemelli University Hospital

Rome, Italy
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
Indiana University / Riley Children Health at Indiana University Health

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
James Cook University Hospital

Middlesbrough, England, United Kingdom
Joan Kirner Women & Children's Hospital - VIC

Melbourne, Victoria, 3021, Australia
King Edward Memorial Hospital

Subiaco, Western Australia, 6008, Australia
Mater Misericordiae

South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia
Maxima Medical Centre

Veldhoven, 5504, Netherlands
Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico

Milan, Italy
Royal Hospital for Children

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Royal Infirmary Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland, EH16 4SA, United Kingdom
San Gerardo Hospital

Monza, Milan, 20090, Italy
Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns

San Diego, California, 92123, United States
Southmead Hospital

Bristol, England, United Kingdom
The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne Australia

Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
University Hospital Wishaw

Wishaw, Scotland, United Kingdom
University Hospitals Leicester

Leicester, United Kingdom
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205, United States
Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital / Ospedale dei Bambini

Milan, Italy
Women & Childrens Hospital Adelaide

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia