Neonatal Surfactant Therapy Flashcards
Define RDS
- Presence of acute respiratory distress with disturbed gas exchange in a preterm infant with a typical clinical course or CXR (ground glass, air bronchograms, reduced volumes)
Describe lungs of premature babies with RDS
- Anatomically and biochemically immature
- Neither synthesize nor secrete surfactant well
What is the function of surfactant?
- Lines alveolar surfaces to reduce surface tension and prevent atelectasis
What are the benefits of surfactant replacement?
- Reduced mortality
- Improve oxygenation
- Decrease incidence of air leak syndromes (pneumothorax, PIE)
- Reduced duration of ventilatory support
- Increased likelihood of survival without BPD
- Shorter hospital stays and lower costs of intensive care
- Incerased survival with no increase in adverse neurodevelopmetal outcome
Should intubated infants with RDS get surfactant?
- YES!
What other neonatal pathologies are associated with surfactant deficiency?
- MAS
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary hemorrhage
- Albumin, meconium and blood inhibit surfactant function
What is the evidence for surfactant in MAS?
- Systematic review reported no differences in mortality or pneumothorax but decreased need for ECMO
Which MAS infants should receive surfactant?
Infants with MAS requiring > 50% FiO2
What is the evidence for surfactant use in MAS?
- Only one small controlled trial
- Possible short term physiological benefits
- No clinically significant benefits compared to a group who received restricted rescue surfactant
What is the evidence for surfactant in neonatal pneumonia?
- Small subgroup analysis of near-term babies with respiratory failure showed those with sepsis who received surfactant had a 40% decreased need for ECMO
Which infants with pneumonia should receive surfactant?
Sick newborn infants with pnuemonia + OI > 15
Which infants with pulmonary hemorrhage should receive surfactant?
Intubated newborns with pulmonary hemorrhage leading to clinical deterioration should receive exogenous surfactant
Is surfactant indicated for lung hypoplasia and CDH?
- Only small case series reported
- No conclusions can be made
What are the risks of exogenous surfactant therapy?
- Bradycardia and hypoxemia during instillation
- Blockage of endotracheal tube
- Increase in pulmonary hemorrhage (RR 1.47)
- Overdistansion and hyperventilation can happen if administered airway pressures and vent settings are not weaned
Are there any immunological changes of clinical concern associated with surfactant administration?
- Known that babies with RDS have circulating immune complexes against surfactant proteins
- Not more common in babies treated with surfactant