Experience of Surfactant Therapy and Outcome in Preterm Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

Background: To share the experience and assess the outcome in preterm babies receiving surfactant as prophylactic and rescue therapy.
Methods: Prospective hospital based observa-tional study conducted in the Neonatal intensive care unit of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara Nepal, and study period was from 1^st January 2015 to 31^st December 2017. Surfactant was administered to
preterm babies less than 37 weeks with the diagnosis ofrespiratory distress syndrome.
Results: A total of 40 newborns received surfactant of which 19 neonates received prophylactic whereas 21 received rescue therapy .The mean gestation (weeks) was 30.68±1.974 in prophylactic and 32±2.168 in rescue therapy groups. Mean Birth
weight in prophylactic group was 1302.26 ±253.15 grams and 1455.24±344 grams in rescue group. Complications of surfactant administration were noted in 25(62.5%) neonates. Desaturation 13 (52%) and bradycardia 5(20%) were common complications during surfactant administration. Mean hospital stay was 14.26±7.56 (days) in prophylactic and12.52±7.16 (days) in rescue groups (p value 0.46).Difference in duration of continuous positive airway pressure, ventilations, oxygen, requirement of inotropes were also not statically significant.
Conclusions: Rescue surfactant therapy was found to be as effective as prophylactic therapy in preterm babies with respiratory distress syndrome.