Less Invasive Surfactant Administration in Preterm Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

To compare the need of mechanical ventilation between LISA (less invasive surfactant administration) method and conventional INSURE method (INtubation SURfactant administration and Extubation) in spontaneously breathing preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

An experimental study.

Department of Neonatology, PIMS, Islamabad, from April to December 2017.

A total of 100 preterm infants <34 weeks gestation, on nasal CPAP requiring fraction of inspire oxygen (FiO2) >0.4, with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were included in the study and divided randomly into two groups, 50 each.

There were 28 (56%) males in LISA and 31 (62%) in the INSURE group. Median birth weight was 1300 grams (IQR 600) in LISA, while 1400 grams (IQR 400) in INSURE infants. C-section rate was 52% (n=26) and 48% (n=24) in LISA and INSURE, respectively. Pre-natal steroids were given to 38 patients (76%) in LISA and 30 patients (60%) in INSURE group. LISA patients had significantly less need of mechanical ventilation with p-value <0.05 {30% (n=15) vs. 60% (n=30)}. The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 40 hours (IQR 75) and 71 hours (IQR 62) in LISA and INSURE, respectively. Similarly, median FiO2 reduction was 30 (IQR 30) in LISA group and it was 25 (IQR 10) in INSURE group, with p-value <0.05. There was no significant difference in mortality, hospital stay and complications.

LISA technique was safe, non-invasive approach of surfactant administration, with reduced need of mechanical ventilation rate and duration.