title: Surfactant therapy in respiratory distress syndrome: the effect of a learning curve in improving outcome.
abstract: A retrospective study of all premature neonates who received artificial surfactant (Curosurf) at the Rotunda Hospital was performed. The period from October 1990 to June 1992 (n = 48) was compared with the initial experience from June 1987 to January 1988 (n = 15). In the initial period mortality rate was 67% in surfactant treated infants, and use of surfactant was not associated with an improvement in outcome compared with the previous six years. In the more recent period overall mortality was 21%. Overall survival in normally formed very low birthweight infants improved from 59% in 1986 to 86% in 1991-1992. Improvement in survival rates was most noticeable in infants with birthweight 750-999 grams, with survival increasing from 44% (before introduction of surfactant treatment) to 91% (in 1991-1992). It is probable that a certain level of experience with use of surfactant is required before optimal effects can be obtained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gormally
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013501:Surface-Active Agents