Objective   To evaluate the efficiency of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) compared with that of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) on decreasing the possibility for endotracheal ventilation in the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS).  Methods   A prospective

randomized

controlled

single-center study was performed on 109 neonatal infants (male 69

female 40) who were admiited in the neonatal intensive care unit of Daping hospital from January 2008 to December 2009. These neonates were randomized into NIPPV group (n=51) and nCPAP group (n=58). Blood gas analysis

oxygenation index

the duration of respiratory support by NIPPV or nCPAP

and complication occurrence were detected and recorded. The ratio of requirement for endotracheal ventilation and the outcome were investigated.  Results  There was no signifincat difference between the neonates treated with NIPPV and with nCPAP in comparable clinical conditions at study entry (P0.05). However

at 1 h after treatment

pH value

P(O2) and oxygenase index in NIPPV group were significantly higher than those in nCPAP group (P0.05). More infants did not need endotracheal ventilation when they were treated initially with NIPPV compared with those treated with nCPAP (88.2% vs 75.9%

P0.05). Moreover

NIPPV group had a significant higher ratio of good outcome than nCPAP group (94.1% vs 87.5%

P0.05).  Conclusion  Both NIPPV and nCPAP decrease the requirement for endotracheal ventilation and improve the outcome in newborn infants suffering from NRDS

but the former has better clinical efficiency.