Sequential Changes of Chest Radiographic Finding after Exogenous Surfactant Replacement Therapy in Neonates with RDS

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The chest radiograph is useful and reliable in assessing the severity and progression of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. To evaluate the effect of exogenous surfactant r eplacement therapy, we performed sequential observation of chest radiogratphic findings in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. METHODS: Two groups of infant with RDS in mechanical ventilation therapy were studied. Surfactant(S-Tx) group(n=36) was treated with Surfactant-TA and control group(n=19) was without use of surfactant. Observation of gestational age, birth weight, clinical severity by ventilatory index, sequential change of radiographic findings and radiological complications in RDS patients were performed. RESULTS: In RDS patients, there was correlation in the radiologic grading and clinical severity. In surfactant treated infants, change of chest radiographic finding was significantly improved than control group. Incidence of pneumothorax and or pulmonary interstial emphysema in S-Tx group was less than that of control group. CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous pulmonary surfactant replacement therapy may contribute the improvement of the clinical and radiological severity and reduction of the incidence of clinical complications. We suggest that surfactant replacement therapy is effective and important useful therapeutic method in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.