Early surfactant for neonates with mild to moderate respiratory distress syndrome: a multicenter, randomized trial

J Pediatr. 2004 Jun;144(6):804-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2004.03.024.

Abstract

Objective: We studied the efficacy and safety of electively providing surfactant to preterm infants with mild to moderate respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) not requiring mechanical ventilation.

Study design: A 5-center, randomized clinical trial was performed on 132 infants with RDS, birth weight >or=1250 grams, gestational age <or=36 weeks, postnatal age 4 to 24 hours, Fio(2) >or=40% for >or=1 hour, and no immediate need for intubation. Infants were randomly assigned to intubation, surfactant (Survanta, Ross Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio) administration, and expedited extubation (n=65) or expectant management (n=67) with subsequent intubation and surfactant treatment as clinically indicated. The primary outcome was duration of mechanical ventilation.

Results: Infants in the surfactant group had a median duration of mechanical ventilation of 2.2 hours compared with 0.0 hours for control infants, since only 29 of 67 control infants required mechanical ventilation (P=.001). Surfactant-treated infants were less likely to require subsequent mechanical ventilation for worsening respiratory disease (26% vs 43%, relative risk=0.60; 95% CI, 0.37, 0.99). There were no differences in secondary outcomes (duration of nasal continuous positive airway pressure, oxygen therapy, hospital stay, or adverse outcomes).

Conclusions: Routine elective intubation for administration of surfactant to preterm infants >or=1250 grams with mild to moderate RDS is not recommended.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature*
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Surfactants / therapeutic use*
  • Respiration, Artificial
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Pulmonary Surfactants