A comparison of efficacy between two natural exogenous surfactant preparations in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome

The mortality and various morbidity rates have been substantially reduced by means of exogenous surfactant replacement, the cornerstone in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. The objective of this study is to compare two natural surfactant preparations (Alveofact(R), Survanta(R)) in terms of effectiveness and side-effects. A total of 50 infants with RDS were given surfactant due to RDS were taken into the scope of this study. Survanta(R) and Alveofact(R) were administered to randomized infants with RDS and the results obtained during clinical observations were compared. Second hour mean FiO(2), MAP and a/APO(2) values showed changes in favour of Alveofact(R) (n = 25) group compared to the Survanta(R) (n = 25) group (p < 0.05 for each parameter). However, this difference disappeared in the 6(th) hour. No statistical difference was established between the two groups with regard to side-effects (pneumothorax, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia), duration of mechanical ventilation in survivors, duration of hospitalization in survivors and mortality before the 28(th) day. It was concluded that results obtained with different surfactant preparations having dissimilar compositions were not different in terms of final impacts and side-effects.