Related Experiment Videos
Antenatal prevention of respiratory distress syndrome; a multicentre survey
M Luerti1, G Bevilacqua, E Volante
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Milan, Italy.
Insights
Preventing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants showed no significant difference with or without pharmacological intervention. Gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar score were the key factors influencing RDS incidence.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Obstetrics
- Pediatric Pulmonology
Background:
- Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) remains a significant concern in preterm infants.
- Therapeutic regimens for RDS prevention have been developed and implemented over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacological prevention strategies for RDS in preterm deliveries.
- To identify factors influencing RDS incidence in a cohort of preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of obstetric and neonatal data from 934 preterm deliveries across 11 Italian centers (1980, 1985, 1986).
- Data included application rates of therapeutic regimens for RDS prevention, particularly corticosteroid use.
- Comparison of RDS incidence between infants who received pharmacological prevention and those who did not.
Main Results:
- Therapeutic regimens for RDS prevention were used in 32-42% of cases, with corticosteroid use declining from 94% in 1980 to 74% in 1986.
- No significant difference in overall RDS incidence was observed between infants with and without pharmacological prevention attempts.
- Gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar score were identified as the only significant factors affecting RDS incidence.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacological prevention strategies for RDS did not demonstrate a significant impact on overall incidence in this cohort.
- Gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar score are critical determinants of RDS risk in preterm infants.
- Further research may be needed to optimize RDS prevention in specific subgroups of preterm neonates.
Abstract:
Obstetric and neonatal data were collected on 934 preterm deliveries in 11 Italian centres in 1980, 1985 and 1986. Therapeutic regimens for prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were applied in 42% of the cases in 1980, 32% in 1985 and 42% in 1986. Prevention was made in most cases with corticosteroids, although their use fell progressively from 94% in 1980 to 74% in 1986. A combination of two substances was used in a percentage of cases varying from 5 to 10% in all three years. In 903 non-malformed infants, the overall incidence of RDS was not significantly different in cases in which pharmacological prevention was attempted compared with cases without prevention. The only factors significantly affecting the incidence of RDS were gestational age, birth weight and Apgar score.