Effects of sustained lung inflation combined with pulmonary surfactant on neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Objective To investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of sustained lung inflation (SLI) combined with pulmonary surfactant (PS) in the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). Methods This prospective randomized controlled trial included 124 premature infants (gestational age <34 weeks and birth weight <2 000 g) diagnosed with NRDS and in need of PS treatment in Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital affiliated to Southern Medical University from July 1, 2016 to October 31, 2018. They were randomly divided into experimental or control group, with 62 cases in each. Infants in the experimental group were treated with SLI using T-piece and intratracheal PS, while those in the control group were given PS only. Blood gas analysis and measurement of fraction of inspiration O2 (FiO2) and ratio of partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) over FiO2 were performed before and 1 h after PS injection. Results of the treatments and incidence of complications were compared. Paired samples t-test, two independent samples t-test, rank-sum test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results There were 56 participants in the experimental group and 54 in the control group who were eventually analyzed. In the experimental group, the pH value, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), FiO2 and PO2/FiO2 at 1 h after PS injection were all improved compared with those before treatment [pH value: 7.26±0.09 vs 7.19±0.09, t=3.814; PCO2: (51.5±12.6) vs (59.8±16.3) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), t=2.610; FiO2: 26.0 (21.0-31.5)% vs 40.5 (38.5-51.5)%, U=392.000; PO2/FiO2: (284.6±117.9) vs (173.4±59.7) mmHg, t=6.427; all P 0.05). Conclusions SLI combined with PS for NRDS babies can increase the rate of extubation within 24 h and promote the down-regulation of FiO2 without causing significant complications. Key words: Respiratory distress syndrome, newborn; Continuous positive airway pressure; Pulmonary surfactants; Treatment outcome