PEDIATRICS Vol. 76 No. 2 August 1985, pp. 145-153
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Prevention of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome by Tracheal Instillation of Surfactant: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Goran Enhorning MD1, Andrew Shennan MD1, Fred Possmayer PhD1, Michael Dunn MD1, Chee P. Chen MD1, and John Milligan MD1

1 From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto and University of Western Ontario, and Regional Perinatal Unit, Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto

With a randomized clinical trial, the possibility was assessed that a tracheal instillation of pulmonary surfactant prior to the first breath might prevent the development of some of the signs of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Of the 72 infants in the trial, all born at a gestational age of less than 30 weeks, 39 received 3 or 4 mL of surfactant, prepared from the lipids extracted from calf lung lavage. The treatment resulted in a significantly improved gas exchange during the first 72 hours of life. On the average, the arterial/alveolar Po2 ratio was 0.15 higher for the treated infants, and only about half as much extra oxygen had to be supplied. The respiratory support (peak inspiratory pressure x frequency) could be lowered significantly. Pulmonary interstitial emphysema occurred in 13 of the 33 control infants, but in only three of the 39 treated infants. Six of the control infants died in the neonatal period, but only one treated infant died. It is concluded that surfactant supplementation prior to the first breath is feasible and is of value as protection against the respiratory distress syndrome and the negative effects of hypoxia and ventilatory support.

Key Words: surfactant phospholipids • bubble surfactometer • arterial/alveolar ratio • natural surfactant • bovine surfactant

Submitted on February 20, 1985
Accepted on April 5, 1985




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