INTRODUCTION: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is significant cause of morbidity and mortality amongst preterm infants. Permissive hypercapnia (PH) is ventilation strategy that could be sparing for immature lungs, but its effects have not been studied enough.

AIM: The aim of this paper is to explore impact of PH on respiratory and non–respiratory outcomes in preemies with RDS.

METHODS: The study was conducted in University hospital in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 158 infants, classified into hypercapnia (69) and normocapnia (89) group. We analyzed respiratory and non–respiratory outcomes.

RESULTS: We have found shorter duration of respiratory support in PH group. There were no differences in BPD, ROP, NEC, IVH, pulmonary leaks and bleedings, sepsis, duration of hospitalization, nor lethal outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: PH could reduce respiratory support of preterm infants with RDS, but not sufficiently to reduce BPD. It has no influence on evaluated non–respiratory outcomes.