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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.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|August 2, 2000
PubMed

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.
Abstract

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