Comparison of porcine versus bovine surfactant in preterm respiratory distress syndrome: Evidence from real-world data. A multicentre collaboration from Karnataka.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Porcine surfactant (200 mg/kg initial dose) seems to be superior to bovine surfactants (100 mg/kg) in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). There is limited data on the choice of surfactant from the developing world. Logically, using higher doses of porcine surfactant comes with an additional cost burden. We decided to evaluate the clinical effects of different types of surfactants. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted from August 2019 to December 2022 in six tertiary centers. Neonates 24-34 weeks of gestation with RDS requiring either porcine (200 mg/kg) or bovine surfactant (100 mg/kg) were enrolled. The proportion of BPD, redosing, and other morbidities in either group were analyzed. The outcomes in preterm ≥28 and <28 weeks subgroups were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 1149 eligible babies, 302 (26%) received surfactant after stabilization with CPAP. One hundred fifty-eight received porcine, and 144 received bovine surfactant. There was a higher BPD in porcine compared to the bovine group on univariate analysis [24 (15%) vs. 6 (4%); OR: 4; 95% CI: 1.6-10; p = 0.002]. On logistic regression, the gestational age and PDA requiring treatment were independent predictors of BPD, and the type of surfactant and centres did not influence BPD. Redosing [27 (17%) vs. 18 (12%), OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 0.7-2.7; p = 0.2] was not different between both surfactant types. Other morbidities like mortality, air leaks, invasive ventilation, and CPAP duration were also not different between the groups. CONCLUSION: We could not find a difference in the outcomes of BPD and redosing using porcine surfactant at 200 mg/kg compared to bovine surfactant. Considering the cost burden in the developing world, efficacy needs to be evaluated in randomized clinical trials.

Yakson touch as a part of early intervention in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A systematic narrative review.

Yakson is a Korean therapeutic touch given to neonates and infants by caressing their abdomen with one hand while the other hand is placed on the back of the neonate\infant either to relieve their pain or to calm them down. It was traditionally used by Koreans by caressing the aching body part of their children with a belief that it would relieve their pain. In spite of clinical evidence of its usefulness, there is limited literature available on Yakson touch. A systematic narrative review (SNR) was undertaken on studies that were carried out on the effectiveness of Yakson touch on infants and neonates. Only seven studies were detected from five major electronic databases, searched with the keywords: "Yakson," "Yakson touch," and "Yakson in neonates". One of the studies has been included in two Cochrane reviews by the same group of researchers published in 2011 and 2015, respectively, and also in a literature review. The evidence from these articles suggests that Yakson touch is able to increase the sleep scores of infants, affects their behavioral response, decreases the stress levels, increases maternal attachment, and has calming effects on them. However, the number of studies is limited, and thus the efficacy of this intervention has not been sufficiently established. Hence, there is a definite need for future studies to prove the efficacy of Yakson to include it in the early intervention programs. This SNR is aimed at compiling the studies which determined to prove the efficacy of the intervention of Yakson.