RANDOMIZED CLINICAL-TRIAL OF 2 TREATMENT REGIMENS OF NATURAL SURFACTANT PREPARATIONS IN NEONATAL RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS-SYNDROME

Aims-To compare treatment regimens of two widely used natural surfacta nt preparations Curosurf and Survanta in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Methods-The effects of the two treatment regimens on gas excha nge, ventilatory requirements, and 28 day outcome in infants with RDS were compared. Seventy fire preterm infants (birth weight 700-1500 g) with RDS requiring artificial ventilation with an FIO2 of greater than or equal to 0.4, were randomly selected at 1-24 hours of age. One gro up received an initial dose of Curosurf (200 mg/kg); the other group S urvanta (100 mg/kg). Patients who remained dependent on artificial ven tilation with an FIO2 of greater than or equal to 0.3 received up to t wo additional doses of Curosurf (each of 100 mg/kg) after 12 and 24 ho urs or up to three additional doses of Survanta (each of 100 mg/kg) be tween six and 48 hours after the initial dose. Results-There was a rap id improvement in oxygenation and ventilatory requirements were reduce d in both groups. However, infants treated with Curosurf had a higher arterial:alveolar oxygen tension ratio and required a lower peak inspi ratory pressure and mean airway pressure at several time points within 24 hours of randomisation (p<0.05-0.001). The incidences of pneumotho rax in the Curosurf and Survanta groups were 6% and 12.5%, respectivel y; the corresponding figures for grades 3-4 intracerebral haemorrhage were 3% and 12.5%, respectively. Mortality was 3% in the Curosurf grou p and 12.5% in the Survanta group. However, these differences did not reach significance. Conclusion-The Curosurf treatment regimen resulted in a more rapid improvement in oxygenation than Survanta and reduced ventilatory requirements up to 24 hours aft er start of treatment. Thi s was associated with a trend towards reduced incidence of serious pul monary and nonpulmonary complications.