Silver Cross Childerguild Donation Means Less Stress, Easier Breathing for NICU Babies

Thanks to a generous donation from Childerguild, seriously ill babies in the Amy, Matthew and Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Silver Cross Hospital can now breathe easier with the addition of two Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) ventilators specially designed for tiny patients. 

Unlike traditional ventilators that rely on clinician input to determine respiratory rate, volume and pressure, NAVA uses the electrical activity of the baby’s diaphragm to adjust ventilation. This puts the infant and the ventilator much more in sync, meaning breaths are delivered at the right time and with the appropriate support. That helps preserve respiratory muscle function and reduce complications. 

“The NAVA system anticipates the baby’s breathing needs based on electrical activity of the diaphragm, before the baby even starts to take the breath. This leads to more effective – and more comfortable – respirations,” explains neonatologist Dr. Corryn Greenwood, NICU Medical Director. “The other really great thing is the tube we use to connect to the baby’s abdomen is also used as a feeding tube, meaning one less device that’s connected to the infant. Since it’s so much more comfortable, we also can use less sedative.” 

“The NAVA system uses a program that anticipates the baby’s breathing needs based on electrical activity of the diaphragm, before the baby even starts to take the breath. This leads to more effective respirations which are more comfortable.” 

Not only is the NAVA system more sensitive to the baby’s needs, Dr. Greenwood added, “it can be used with a breathing tube or a non-invasive mask, meaning less stress for the patient. And the other really great thing is the tube we use to connect to the baby’s abdomen is also used as a feeding tube, meaning one less device that’s connected to the infant. Since it’s so much more comfortable, we also can use less sedative.” 

Dr. Greenwood said the aim is to get the baby breathing on their own faster. So, they look for the infants who have been on the ventilator the longest, which also can lead to a bacterial infection. 

Traci Wolfe, RRT, Manager of NICU Respiratory Care (pictured here), said two infants who recently benefitted from the new system had been on (traditional) ventilators for months. After NAVA, she said, they were off in a few weeks, able to breathe on their own. 

“They may have gone home with oxygen, but a very low amount,” Wolfe said. “NAVA allows the infant to set the breathing pattern they need, instead of us guessing and adjusting. 

“It’s a wonderful tool to have in the toolbox when you’re asking, ‘What can we try next?’” 

Using the NAVA ventilators since last fall, babies in the Silver Cross NICU have been able to breathe on their own more quickly, Dr. Greenwood said. 

“I am so glad we have it,” she said. “It is a game-changer, and I thank Childerguild for their generous donation.” 

To learn more about the Amy, Matthew & Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, visit silvercross.org