ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: In a randomized multi-center trial, we demonstrated that inhaled nitric oxide begun between 7 and 21 days and given for 24 days significantly increased survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in ventilated premature infants weighing <1250 g. Because some preventative BPD treatments are associated with neurodevelopmental impairment, we designed a follow-up study to assess the safety of nitric oxide. STUDY DESIGN: Our hypothesis was that inhaled nitric oxide would not increase neurodevelopmental impairment compared with placebo. We prospectively evaluated neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes at 24 months postmenstrual age in 477 of 535 surviving infants (89%) enrolled in the trial. RESULTS: In the treated group, 109 of 243 children (45%) had neurodevelopmental impairment (moderate or severe cerebral palsy, bilateral blindness, bilateral hearing loss, or score <70 on the Bayley Scales II), compared with 114 of 234 (49%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.75-1.12; P = .39). No differences on any subcomponent of neurodevelopmental impairment or growth variables were found between inhaled nitric oxide or placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled nitric oxide improved survival free of BPD, with no adverse neurodevelopmental effects at 2 years of age.
Subject(s)
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/prevention & control , Developmental Disabilities/prevention & control , Free Radical Scavengers/administration & dosage , Infant, Premature , Nitric Oxide/administration & dosage , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/drug therapy , Administration, Inhalation , Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology , Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/etiology , Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology , Developmental Disabilities/etiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Prospective Studies , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/complications , Risk Factors , Survival Rate , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To identify whether inhaled nitric oxide treatment decreased indicators of long-term pulmonary morbidities after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. STUDY DESIGN: The Nitric Oxide (to Prevent) Chronic Lung Disease trial enrolled preterm infants (<1250 g) between 7 to 21 days of age who were ventilated and at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Follow-up occurred at 12 +/- 3 months of age adjusted for prematurity; long-term pulmonary morbidity and other outcomes were reported by parents during structured blinded interviews. RESULTS: A total of 456 infants (85%) were seen at 1 year. Compared with control infants, infants randomized to inhaled nitric oxide received significantly less bronchodilators (odds ratio [OR] 0.53 [95% confidence interval 0.36-0.78]), inhaled steroids (OR 0.50 [0.32-0.77]), systemic steroids (OR 0.56 [0.32-0.97]), diuretics (OR 0.54 [0.34-0.85]), and supplemental oxygen (OR 0.65 [0.44-0.95]) after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. There were no significant differences between parental report of rehospitalizations (OR 0.83 [0.57-1.21]) or wheezing or whistling in the chest (OR 0.70 [0.48-1.03]). CONCLUSIONS: Infants treated with inhaled nitric oxide received fewer outpatient respiratory medications than the control group. However, any decision to institute routine use of this dosing regimen should also take into account the results of the 24-month neurodevelopmental assessment.