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Increase of caffeine and decrease of corticosteroids for extremely low-birthweight infants with respiratory failure
Roland Gerull1, Helen Manser, Helmut Küster
1Division of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Inselspital Berne, Berne, Switzerland. roland.gerull@insel.ch.
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|October 10, 2013
Summary
Treatment strategies for extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) infants evolved significantly between 1997 and 2011. Key changes include increased caffeine use and decreased reliance on certain respiratory medications and sedatives.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacy
Background:
- Respiratory failure is a critical concern in extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) infants.
- Understanding treatment evolution is vital for optimizing care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare treatment strategies for respiratory failure in ELBW infants in Germany (1997) with those in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (2011).
Main Methods:
- Surveys were distributed to all German centers treating ELBW infants in 1997.
- A follow-up survey was conducted in 2011 across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Main Results:
- Caffeine administration increased significantly, while theophylline and doxapram use declined.
- Overall corticosteroid use decreased, with dexamethasone use falling and hydrocortisone use rising.
- Use of muscle relaxants and sedatives in ventilated infants decreased significantly.
Conclusions:
- Treatment strategies for respiratory failure in ELBW infants have undergone significant changes between 1997 and 2011.
- These shifts reflect evolving clinical practices and therapeutic approaches in neonatal care.
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