title: Prophylactic treatment of premature babies with artificial surfactant (ALEC).
abstract: Artificial surfactant (ALEC) made from DPPC and uPG 7:3 w/w has been given at birth to babies under 30 weeks of gestation in three trials. The first trial enrolled 62 resuscitated babies: 28 treated with 25 mg ALEC powder and 34 controls. The mortality fell from 41 to 7% (p = 0.0005). In the second trial babies were randomized to receive 1 ml of 100 mg ALEC suspension into the pharynx at birth and up to 3 more endotracheal doses in 24 h. Controls received 1 ml of saline. There were 69 ALEC-treated babies and 67 controls. The mortality due to complications of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) fell from 31 to 9% (p less than 0.01); periventricular haemorrhage was reduced from 40 to 19% (p less than 0.01). The third trial involved 328 babies randomized in 10 centres. ALEC treatment reduced the neonatal mortality from 27 to 14% (p less than 0.002); intracerebral haemorrhages fell from 24 to 16% (p = 0.06) and severe RDS by 27% (p less than 0.03). Regression analysis showed a significant reduction in hours receiving ventilation and greater than 30% oxygen during the first 10 days.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Morley
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants