2023, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A

Background: Respiratory Distress Syndrome, previously hyaline membrane sickness, affects premature babies. RDS is caused by immature pulmonary surfactant. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of surfactant in preterm infants 32-36 weeks gestation with RDS grade I and II.

Methods: A non-randomized controlled trial study, including preterm infants 32-36 weeks of gestational age who had respiratory distress syndrome grade I and II. We compared the effect of using surfactant plus continuous positive airway pressure versus using a continuous positive airway pressure alone on morbidity and mortality to treat preterm 32-36 weeks of gestational age who had respiratory distress syndrome grade I and II.

Results: The study included a Surfactant group of 39 premature infants (56.4% males, mean gestational age 34.461.12 weeks, mean birth weight 1924.79322.78 g, respiratory distress syndrome grade I 28.2%, respiratory distress syndrome grade II 71.8%) and a Non-Surfactant group of 27 premature infants (55.6% males, mean gestational age 34.481.09 weeks, mean birth weight 1925.93322.3g, Gender, gestational age, birth weight, and RDS severity did not differ between Surfactant and Non-Surfactant groups. Surfactant plus continuous positive airway pressure increased intraventricular haemorrhage, pulmonary haemorrhage, pneumothorax, and late-onset sepsis, while continuous positive airway pressure alone increased necrotizing enterocolitis and retinopathy of prematurity. The difference was not statistically significant except for necrotizing enterocolitis. Surfactant reduced hospitalisation duration and mortality rate, although the change was not statistically significant.

Conclusions: Surfactant with continuous positive airway pressure delivery to premature 32-36-week-olds with respiratory distress syndrome grade I and II did not reduce morbidity and death, but exacerbated comorbidities. Prospective studies may help determine surfactant's safety and effectiveness in this group.