title: Surfactant use in premature neonates <37 weeks gestation: Experience and outcome at a tertiary care hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess a single-centre experience and outcome of premature neonates who received surfactant therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prospective cohort study was done at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, from December 2005 to May 2007 and comprised premature neonates (< 37 weeks gestation) who had clinical and radiologic evidence of respiratory distress syndrome and had received surfactant therapy. SPSS 21 was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 52 premature neonates received surfactant. Mean gestational age was 29±2.8 weeks and mean birth weight was 1273±487gms. Only 16(31%) mothers had received antenatal dexamethasone. Surfactant was used as single dose in 41(78%) neonates at 6.1±6.6hours of life or two doses in 11(22%). Chest X-ray and respiratory distress syndrome category showed an overall improvement in 29 (56%) neonates. Complications were seen in 17(33%) neonates, and 21(40%) died. Mortality was significantly associated with gestation (p< 0.000) and weight (p< 0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surfactant administration is an option for respiratory distress syndrome in Pakistan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
authors.forename: Ejaz Ahmed
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
authors.forename: Ibrar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hashmey
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D003907:Dexamethasone
keywords: Surfactant, Prematurity, Respiratory distress syndrome, Continuous positive airway pressure.