International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802002015041115001500EN20150411<strong>Background:</strong> To compare two methods of weaning premature infants from nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP).<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> Between March and November 2012, 88 preterm infants who were stable on NCPAP of 5 cmH2O with FIO2 &lt;30% for a minimum of 6 h were randomly allocated to one of two groups. The high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) group received HFNC with flow of 2 L/min and FIO2 = 0.3 and then stepwise reduction of FIO2 and then flow. The non‑HFNC group was maintained on NCPAP of 5 cmH2O and gradual reduction of oxygen until they were on FIO2 = 0.21 for 6 h, and<br />we had weaned them directly from NCPAP (with pressure of 5 cmH2O) to room air.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> No significant differences were found between 2 study groups with regards to gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score at 1 and 5 min after birth, patent ductus arteriosus and use of<br />xanthines. The mean duration of oxygen therapy after randomization was significantly lower in HFNC group compared to non‑HFNC group (20.6 &plusmn; 16.8 h vs. 49.6 &plusmn; 25.3 h, P &lt; 0.001). Also, the mean length of hospital stay was significantly lower in HFNC group compared to non‑HFNC<br />group (11.3 &plusmn; 7.8 days vs. 14.8 &plusmn; 8.6 days, P = 0.04). The rate of successful weaning was not statistically different between two groups.<br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Weaning from NCPAP to HFNC could decrease the duration of oxygen therapy and length of hospitalization in preterm infants.<br /><strong>Keywords:</strong> Continuous positive airway pressure, high flow nasal cannula, preterm infant, weaninghttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1500http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1500/1780