title: Influence of early postnatal dexamethasone therapy on ventilator dependency in surfactant-substituted preterm infants.
abstract: We examined 26 preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome in a randomized controlled prospective study to determine whether early postnatal dexamethasone therapy (< 2 h; 0.5 mg/kg per day) over 5 days in addition to substitution of surfactant (100 mg/kg) facilitates extubation and the course of RDS. Control (n = 12) and treated (n = 14) groups were comparable in birthweight (mean +/- SD: 1219 +/- 292 versus 1446 +/- 442 g), gestational age (29.3 +/- 2.2 versus 30.6 +/- 2.7 weeks), prenatal characteristics and initial respiratory and blood gas parameters. In both groups one infant died. Infants in the dexamethasone group responded better to surfactant (12/14 versus 3/12; p < 0.01), were extubated earlier (6.6 versus 14.2 days; p < 0.02) and required less time on supplemental oxygen (4.2 versus 12.5 days; p < 0.02). Pulmonary complications tended to be lower in the dexamethasone group (1/14 versus 4/12), as was the frequency of retinopathy (2/14 versus 6/12; p < 0.05). We conclude that early postnatal dexamethasone therapy improves response to surfactant therapy resulting in better weaning and earlier extubation in premature infants.
authors.affiliation: University Children's Hospital, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Suske
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oestreich
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Varnholt
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lasch
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kachel
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015300:Ventilator Weaning
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D003907:Dexamethasone