title: Minimally invasive surfactant administration in preterm infants: a meta-narrative review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Surfactant administration by minimally invasive methods that allow for spontaneous breathing might be safer and more effective than administration with endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation; however, the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive methods have not been reviewed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a meta-narrative review of the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive surfactant administration using a thin catheter, aerosolization, a laryngeal mask airway, and pharyngeal administration in preterm infants with or at risk for respiratory distress syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases, published journals, and conference proceedings from inception to June 30, 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized clinical trials or observational studies of preterm infants who were given surfactant for respiratory distress syndrome by minimally invasive methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  An overall meta-narrative review was conducted encompassing the evolution of noninvasive surfactant therapy. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals are reported when appropriate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chronic lung disease diagnosed by the need for oxygen therapy at a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks, need for mechanical ventilation within the first 72 hours of birth, need for mechanical ventilation any time during the hospital stay, and adverse events associated with administration of surfactant by various methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 10 studies (6 randomized and 4 observational) of 3081 neonates. Thin catheter administration was evaluated in 6 studies (2 randomized and 4 observational); aerosolization, in 2 randomized studies; and laryngeal mask and pharyngeal administration, in 1 observational study each. The meta-narrative review confirmed the slow evolution and challenges of the different modes of administration, with thin catheter administration being the most studied intervention. Two randomized studies of surfactant administration using a thin catheter revealed no significant difference in the outcome of bronchopulmonary dysplasia but a potential reduction in the need for mechanical ventilation within 72 hours of birth when compared with standard care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surfactant administration via a thin catheter may be an efficacious and potentially safe method; however, further studies are needed. Further studies are also needed for other methods of minimally invasive surfactant administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kiran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: More
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, King Hamad University Hospital, Busaiteen, Kingdom of Bahrain.
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sakhuja
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada4Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada5Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Prakesh S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000336:Aerosols; D002404:Catheterization; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants