Inhaled nitric oxide therapy in premature newborns.
OBJECTIVE
Inhaled nitric oxide therapy reduces the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in near-term and term newborns with hypoxemic respiratory failure and persistent pulmonary hypertension, and is now a standard of care for this population. There is also considerable interest, however, in the potential role of inhaled nitric oxide in premature newborns with hypoxemic respiratory failure. The purpose of this review is to summarize the results of clinical trials of inhaled nitric oxide in premature newborns, with particular emphasis on studies published in the last 12 months.


RESULTS
Several trials of inhaled nitric oxide in premature newborns with respiratory failure have been published in the last year. Interpretation of the findings is complicated by differences in the severity of illness of the study populations, the trial designs, and relevant outcome measures recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
Trials of inhaled nitric oxide in premature newborns have yielded conflicting results to date, and the role of inhaled nitric oxide therapy in this population remains controversial. The largest trials of inhaled nitric oxide therapy in premature newborns have completed enrollment but have yet to be published. The results of these ongoing trials will help clarify the potential risks and benefits of inhaled nitric oxide therapy in the premature newborn.
Kinsella
John P
JP
The Children's Hospital/University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80218, USA. john.kinsella@uchsc.edu
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000188:drug therapy; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*
D009569:Nitric Oxide