Comparison of Curosurf(R) versus Surfacten(R) in the Treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to compare the effects of treatment of newborn babies with two different surfactants, Curosurf(R) and Surfacten(R). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records from 2007 to 2009 and divided the patients into two groups those who received Curosurf(R) (n=20) and those who received Surfacten(R) (n=21). We compared the groups for sex, gestational age (GA), birth weight, type of delivery, apgar score, maternal history, age at treatment, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), administration indomethacin for patent ductus arteriosus(PDA), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), periventricular leucomalacia (PVL), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), pulmonary hemorrhage (PH), pneumothorax (PTX), duration of ventilation, need for oxygen, and administration. RESULTS: The demographic and clinical variables were similar in both groups. The gestational age for Curosurf(R) and Surfacten(R) were 32.7+/-3.1 and, 30.5+/-4.3 weeks, respectively (P=0.08). Six newborns in the Curosurf(R) group and 8 in the Surfacten(R) group developed BPD (P=0.59). No significant differences were noted for NEC, IVH, PVL, ROP, PH, PTX between the two groups (IVH, P=0.14; PVL, P=0.94; ROP P=0.94; PTX P=0.34). The mean duration of ventilation was 16.8 days with Curosurf(R) and 23.7 days with Surfacten(R), but these differences were not statistically significant (P=0.43). The differences in duration of need for oxygen and administration were also not statistically significant (P=0.92, 0.91, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study indicated no significant differences between Curosurf(R) and Surfacten(R). However, because of its convenience and the merit of minimal touching of the babies, the use of Curosurf(R) is recommended.