EDITORIAL COMMENT
A RECENTLY conducted controlled clinical trial tested the effectiveness of Alevaire® mist as a prophylactic measure for premature infants. The results failed to support earlier reports which suggested that this compound was beneficial in the prevention and treatment of neonatal asphyxia among these newborns. As a result of the earlier suggestions this material has been widely used throughout the country during the past 2 to 3 years. However, the originally advanced proof of effectiveness rested upon comparisons with past experience or with current experience of other hospitals, or even upon pooled reports of individual case histories without planned control.
The controlled trial was conducted over a 10-month period involving a total of 200 prematurely-born infants. There was no therapeutic benefit, as judged by a comparison of death rates and autopsy findings, that could be credited to Alevaire® mist therapy of premature infants in the first 3 days of life. It would be improper to extend the findings of the study by generalizing beyond the exact conditions specified.
