Clinical impact of less invasive surfactant administration using video laryngoscopy in extremely preterm infants

Examine the real-world clinical impact of adopting less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) as the primary surfactant administration method in extremely preterm infants.

Single-center pre-post cohort study conducted over a 4-year period comparing outcomes of spontaneously breathing inborn infants 24⁺⁰-28⁺⁶ weeks gestational age (GA) receiving surfactant via endotracheal tube (pre-cohort, n = 154) or LISA via thin catheter (post-cohort, n = 70). Primary outcome was need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV, ≥2 h) ≤72 h of age. Secondary outcomes were a composite of mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage ≥grade 3 or necrotizing enterocolitis, and its individual components. Groups were compared using propensity score methods, including covariates: GA, birth weight, sex, small for GA, SNAP II ≥20, premature rupture of membranes, maternal hypertension/diabetes, and C-section.

GA and birth weight were 27.1 (26, 28.1) weeks and 914 (230) g, and 27.1 (26.1, 28.1) weeks and 920 (236) g for pre- and post-cohorts, respectively. Pre-cohort had higher C-section rates, (67% vs. 51%, p = 0.03). After adjustment for covariates, LISA was associated with reduced IMV exposure [AOR (95% CI) 0.07 (0.04, 0.11)], lower odds of the composite clinical outcome [0.49 (0.33, 0.73)], and most of its individual components.

Real-world experience favors LISA as the primary method in extremely preterm infants with established spontaneous respiration.

Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) is associated with a reduction in respiratory morbidity, but real-world data of routine use among extremely preterm infants are limited. LISA is associated with reduced frequency of exposure to and duration of IMV in both ≤72 h after birth and during hospital stay. LISA is associated with a reduction in mortality, and most other major morbidities including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and interventricular hemorrhage. Data from a large North American center providing real-world clinical outcomes following LISA as the primary method of surfactant administration.