Neonatal Preterm Respiratory Care in Ukraine: An Observational Study of Outcomes in Relation to Timing and Methods of Surfactant Treatment

Objective Timely and effective noninvasive respiratory support and surfactant administration are the key determinants of clinical outcomes in very preterm infants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the changes in clinical practice of surfactant administration on clinical outcomes and the incidence of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) failure defined as the need for mechanical ventilation (MV) during the first 5 days of life in preterm infants <32 weeks. Study Design One hundred sixty-five outborn very preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), initially managed on CPAP, were enrolled in a retrospective cohort study. Fifty-two infants treated with surfactant using less invasive or INSURE technique were included in the surfactant group. One hundred thirteen control infants received surfactant only in case of CPAP failure. Results The study groups were similar in gestational age, rates of main obstetric complications, and antenatal steroid prophylaxis. The rate of cesarean delivery was significantly higher but birth weight and need for resuscitation were lower in infants from the surfactant group. Fifty-five infants with CPAP failure (49%) received surfactant after initiation of MV in the control group in comparison with 52 (100%) in the surfactant group ( p < 0.001). The incidence of CPAP failure was significantly higher in the control group (49 vs. 27%; p < 0.01) and it occurred earlier (median [interquartile range age: 4 [2-5] vs. 47 [36-99] hours, respectively; p < 0.001). Early surfactant administration significantly and independently affected the probability of CPAP failure (adjusted odds ratio: 0.29, 95% confidence interval: 0.13-0.67; p < 0.01). There were no differences in morbidities between the groups, but CPAP failure was significantly associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Conclusion Adherence to the European RDS guidelines with early rescue, less invasive surfactant administration in very preterm infants decreased the probability of CPAP failure which was significantly associated with higher morbidity and mortality.