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Digoxin for preventing or treating neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

R F Soll1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, A-121 Medical Alumni Building, Burlington, Vermont 05405-0068, USA. rsoll@salus.med.uvm.edu

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 5, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Digoxin does not improve respiratory status or reduce mortality in infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Clinical trials and meta-analyses show no proven benefit of digoxin treatment for RDS in newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common condition in newborns.
  • Hemodynamic disturbances are implicated in RDS pathogenesis.
  • The role of early congestive heart failure in RDS requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of digoxin in infants at risk of, or diagnosed with, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
  • To assess the impact of digoxin on clinical outcomes, including mortality and respiratory status.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  • Searches included major databases (Oxford Database of Perinatal Trials, Medline) and other sources.
  • Data extraction and analysis followed Cochrane Neonatal Review Group standards.

Main Results:

  • Two RCTs investigated digoxin for RDS prevention and treatment.
  • No significant improvement in respiratory status or mortality was observed.
  • Meta-analysis indicated no mortality benefit from digoxin (RR 1.27, 95% CI 0.78-2.07).

Conclusions:

  • Early congestive heart failure, unrelated to patent ductus arteriosus, is not a significant factor in RDS.
  • Digoxin treatment offers no proven value for infants with isolated respiratory distress syndrome.
  • Further research may clarify the role of cardiac function in RDS pathogenesis.
Abstract

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