Late surfactant replacement therapy and its efficacy on severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in National Children Hospital

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease that is most commonly seen in premature infants who require prolonged mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy. 75% of intubated infants have episodes of dysfunctional surfactants associated with lower levels of surfactant proteins. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of late surfactant therapy in treating BPD in premature infants. Nineteen preterm infants diagnosed with severe BPD requiring mechanic ventilation, according to Jobe and Bancalari, were treated with surfactant (Poractant alpha 100mg/kg intra-tracheal). Patients were observed for change in oxygen requirement before and at 1-h, 6-h, 12-h, 24-h, and 48-h after treatment. There were 13 boys and 6 girls; boy to girl ratio was 2.16/1. The mean gestation age was 28.3 ± 2 weeks; the mean birth weight was 1134.7 ± 314 gram. There was an increase in SpO2 (saturation of peripheral oxygen), PaO2 (the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood) and reduction in FiO2 (fraction of inspired oxygen), PaCO2 (the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood), OI (oxygen index), MAP (mean airway pressure) and AaDO2 (Alveolar-to-arterial oxygen gradient) after surfactant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with severe BPD, late surfactant therapy has shown initial benefits in lung functions and reducing oxygen requirement.