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Neurodevelopmental and health outcomes in term infants treated with surfactant for severe respiratory failure
R L Auten1, J Merzbach, G Myers
1Strong Children's Research Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA.
Insights
Surfactant treatment for respiratory failure in newborns generally leads to complete recovery. Infants show normal health, neurodevelopmental outcomes, and school performance post-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Respiratory failure in term and near-term infants poses significant health risks.
- Pneumonia and meconium aspiration are common causes of respiratory distress in newborns.
- Surfactant therapy has shown promise in managing respiratory distress syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term health, neurodevelopmental, and academic outcomes of infants treated with surfactant.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of surfactant in term and near-term neonates with respiratory failure.
- To provide data on the recovery trajectory of infants experiencing respiratory compromise.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 14 infants.
- Neurodevelopmental and psychosocial evaluations were conducted.
- Parent and teacher surveys assessed long-term outcomes.
Main Results:
- One infant was rehospitalized for pneumonia; three experienced wheezing episodes.
- One infant had unilateral hearing loss; another scored below normal on intelligence testing.
- Most patients achieved at-grade-level school performance.
Conclusions:
- Term and near-term newborns with respiratory failure treated with surfactant typically achieve full recovery.
- General health, neurodevelopmental status, and school performance are generally normal.
- Surfactant therapy appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for this population.
Objective:
Analysis of health, neurodevelopmental, and school performance outcomes in a pilot study of term and near-term infants with respiratory failure due to pneumonia or meconium aspiration treated with surfactant.
Study Design:
Retrospective review of medical records, neurodevelopmental and psychosocial evaluations, and parent and teacher surveys.
Results:
Of the 14 patients enrolled, only one was rehospitalized, for pneumonia. Three were reported to have episodes of wheezing, two of whom required bronchodilators. One patient had unilateral hearing loss, one had a full-scale intelligence quotient that was below normal, and all but one patient for whom complete results were obtained were performing at or above grade level.
Conclusion:
Term and near-term newborns with moderately severe respiratory failure treated with surfactant can, in general, be expected to recover completely and have normal general health, neurodevelopmental outcome, and school performance.