Comparison of the Results of Simultaneous Surfactant Administration and Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (INSURE) and Non-administration of Surfactant for the Treatment of Infants with Respiratory Distress

Background Various strategies have been suggested for the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS). Objectives Nowadays, most of the high-risk pregnancies are successfully ended although they normally result in the delivery of premature and preterm neonates. The rate of NRDS increases in these neonates, which consequently demands for more interventions to save them. Methods This was a case-control study in which, 52 neonates of 27 - 32 weeks’ gestation and birth weight 1000 - 3000 g were treated with Curosurf (a natural surfactant) and NCPAP (Nasal continuous positive airway pressure) as the case group. The control group consisted of 52 matched neonates untreated with surfactant and NCPAP. Results Studying 6 common NRDS-induced complications (pneumothorax, pulmonary hemorrhage, chronic lung disease, intra-ventricular hemorrhage, sepsis and patent ductus arteriosus) showed that there were no significant differences between the case and control groups (P > 0.05). Also, there were no significant differences in mortality and ventilator usage rates and duration of hospitalization (P > 0.05). In total, 9 neonates in the case group (17%) and 16 in the control group (30%) died consequently. Conclusions The results showed that surfactant therapy had no significant effect on mortality and ventilator usage rates, duration of hospitalization, and NRDS-induced complications.