The Effect of Surfactant Accompanied by Ventolin on the Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Premature Newborns: A Clinical Trial Study

Background The respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is one of the most common respiratory disorders in premature newborns. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of surfactant accompanied by Ventolin on the RDS in premature newborns. Materials and Methods The study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial that was conducted on 80 premature newborns with RDS in Imam Reza Hospital of Kermanshah, Iran, in 2018. The eligible newborns, using a random number table, were divided into two groups of surfactant with Ventolin as intervention group (n=40) and surfactant with normal saline as control group (n=40). The data collection tool was a checklist, including the demographic characteristics (gender, birth weight, gestational age, etc.) and clinical variables (length of hospitalization, pneumothorax, need of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), mechanical ventilation, tachypnea duration, RDS score, etc.). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 24.0). Results The results of the study showed that the two groups of intervention and control have significant statistical difference in terms of RDS score, tachypnea duration, duration of taking oxygen, start time of oral feeding, length of hospitalization, partial pressures of oxygen (PaO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), need of mechanical ventilation and pneumothorax, respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturation and FIO2 after intervention (P<0.05). However, there were no significant statistical differences between the two groups in terms of need of CPAP and outcome (P>0.05). Conclusion The results of this study showed that administration surfactant accompanied by Ventolin can lead to decrease in RDS score, improve the respiration status, reduce start time of oral feeding and also reduce length of hospitalization.