title: Challenges Faced in Translating the Benefits of Surfactant Replacement Therapy to a Resource-Limited Setting.
abstract: AimTo determine the challenges, if any, in translating the benefits of surfactant replacement therapy (SRT) to a resource-limited setting.MethodThis was a retrospective descriptive study comparing the outcome of 75 cases who received surfactant and 69 controls who did not at the University Hospital of the West Indies during the period 2001 to 2011. Descriptive analyses were performed. Statistical significance was taken at the levelp< 0.05.ResultsOnly 13% of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome received surfactant therapy. The median time of surfactant administration was 16.5 hours (interquartile range: 6-37 hours). The mean ± standard deviation time between repeat doses was 19.1 ± 14 hours. There was no difference in mortality between cases (67%) and controls (59%) (p= 0.32). However, the cases who survived were less mature (28.3 ± 2 weeks) and less clinically stable (CRIB II [Clinical Risk Index for Babies] score: 8.2 ± 3) than their controls who survived (30.0 ± 2 weeks; CRIB II score: 6.0 ± 3) (p= 0.01). There was no difference in mean gestational age or CRIB II scores between nonsurviving cases and controls. A high incidence of sepsis, pneumothoraces, and pulmonary hemorrhage was noted in both cases and controls.ConclusionSRT did not improve the overall outcome in preterm neonates treated with RDS. Challenges encountered in optimizing SRT included affordability and accessibility of surfactant, supportive equipment, and supportive therapies, as well as a high incidence of complications related to prematurity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Trotman
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006295:Health Resources / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D013501:Surface-Active Agents