COMPARISON OF THE CHANGES IN THE A A OXYGEN RATIO AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF 2 SURFACTANTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF NEONATAL RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS SYNDROME/

The aim of this study was to compare the acute changes in a/A O-2 rati o after administration of two surfactants, Survanta (Ross Laboratories , and Exosurf Neonatal (GlaxoWellcome Co.) in prematures with respirat ory distress syndrome. Twenty-seven premature infants weighing 1030 1680 g with respiratory distress syndrome were ventilated and randomly assigned to receive two doses of either Survanta (n = 15) or Exosurf (n = 12) when a/A O-2 ratio was <0.22. The assigned surfactant was pre pared and administered in accordance with the manufacturer's instructi ons. a/A O-2 ratio was measured before each dose anal 2 and 6 h later, The percentage change of the ratio from the first measurement has bee n calculated. There was no significant difference between the two grou ps as regard to birth weight, gestational age, Apgar Score, and a/A O- 2 ratio before administration of the drug, However, the age at commenc ement of treatment was significantly lower in Survanta group, The mean of changes in a/A Oz ratio was significantly higher in Survanta than in Exosuri an all occasions (P<0.05). There was no correlation between the initial improvement hr the ratio and the age of administration of the first (lose of the drugs. Tile initial improvement in a/A OZ rati o after Survanta may be explained by either smaller volume of the drug (4 ml/kg) compared to Exosurf (5 ml/kg) or better spreading propertie s of the drug, Earlier administration of the second dose of Exosurf ma g accelerate the response to the drag.