Surfactant aerosol treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in the spontaneously breathing premature rabbit.
Surfactant deficiency in premature neonates is a major factor in the development of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), which is still a significant cause of mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to test a noninvasive method of administering surfactant as treatment for RDS. The animal model used was the premature neonatal rabbit of 27-d gestation (full-term being 31 d) primed with an initial oropharyngeal dose of surfactant. The animals were divided into three groups that received either no supplemental surfactant (n = 20), undried nebulized surfactant (n = 21), or dried nebulized surfactant (n = 24). Drying of the surfactant solution was undertaken to create a hygroscopic aerosol that would facilitate surfactant deposition in the lower respiratory tract. The group treated with dried surfactant aerosol showed superior survival (66.7%) and less evidence of RDS. The control and undried aerosol groups each had similar low survival rates (23.8 and 45.0%, respectively). The results indicate that a dried, hygroscopic aerosol is an effective means of administration of surfactant to spontaneously breathing premature rabbit neonates.
Ellyett
K M
KM
Department of Physiology, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Broadbent
R S
RS
Fawcett
E R
ER
Campbell
A J
AJ
D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008170:Lung Compliance; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012756:Sheep; D013534:Survival
D000336:Aerosols; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants