Surfactant treatment in the neonate with severe respiratory distress syndrome

Eighteen preterm infants severely ill with respiratory distress syndrome who required assisted ventilaton were given modified natural surfactant (Survanta) endotracheally. They had a mean +/- SEM gestational age of 31.2 +/- 0.4 weeks (range 28-34) and a mean +/- SEM birthweight of 1562 +/- 71 g (range 1160-2010). Average time of initial surfactant administration was 15 +/- 1.7 hour (range 5-24). No significant side effects were found during surfactant instillation. Post surfactant, the air entry was improved, oxygenation and arterial/alveolar gradients increased, and the levels of inspired oxygen could be reduced. Some of the radiological abnormalities were resolved. In 13 infants, patent ductus arteriosus became clinically evident, seven of whom received Indomethacin. There were 4 cases of pulmonary air leak, 5 cases of pulmonary hemorrhage and 8 cases of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Four infants expired, two were due to severe asphyxia/shock and two died of unrelated causes. Among the 14 survivors who came for follow-up, two cases of retinopathy of prematurity had gradually regressed, one had cerebral palsy and delayed development. Surfactant rescue therapy is a supplemental beneficial treatment for severe respiratory distress syndrome while newborn intensive care concept is necessary for efficient diagnosis and treatment of RDS.