What is the appropriate endotracheal tube size for a neonate of 30 weeks' gestation weighing 1,500 g?

The appropriate endotracheal tube size for a neonate of 30 weeks' gestation and weighing 1,500 g is 3 mm. For neonates, especially preterm infants, the size of the endotracheal tube is critical to ensure adequate ventilation without causing injury to the delicate tracheal tissues.

In general, the formula often used for determining the appropriate endotracheal tube size in neonates is to take the gestational age in weeks and divide by 10, which provides a rough estimate of the tube diameter in millimeters. For a neonate of 30 weeks, this would suggest a tube size of approximately 3 mm.

This dimension allows for sufficient airflow while minimizing the risk of complications such as bronchial injury or obstruction due to mucus plugging. Additionally, a 3 mm tube is appropriate for infants around the 1,500 g mark, as smaller tubes may not provide adequate ventilation in this size category.

Moreover, using a tube that is too small can lead to increased airway resistance and inadequate ventilation, while a tube that is too large can cause trauma to the airway. Thus, for a neonate born at 30 weeks gestation, a 3 mm endotracheal