A 1.5 kg child born at 32 weeks by LSCS presents with moderate respiratory difficulty (RR 70/ minutes). Which of the following is the appropriate management –

Specific treatment for HMD is intratracheal surfactant therapy. This therapy requires endotracheal intubation, which also may be necessary to achieve adequate ventilation and oxygenation. Less premature infants (those > 1 kg or > 28-30 weeks gestation) and those with lower 02 requirements (Fi02 < 40 - 50%) may respond well to supplemental 02 alone or to treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).