Effects of Early Dexamethasone Therapy in Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Lee, Hyeon Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE
To examine the clinical effects of early dexamethasone treatment from postnatal age of 1 week to ventilated preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.
METHODS
14 one-week-old ventilator-dependent infants were enrolled. Seven received dexamethasone and another 7 did not receive. The doses of dexamethasone used were 0.25mg/kg twice daily for 3 days, 0.125mg/kg twice for 1 day, then 0.125mg/kg once for 1 day. Blood gases were measured and ventilatory efficiency index (VEI) and arterial/alveolar oxygen tension ratio (a/A PO2) were calculated every 12 hours from 48hours before to 72 hours after administration. Mean arterial blood pressures were noted and urine output was measured every 24 hours during the study.
RESULTS
Following dexamethasone, the values of PaO2 improved significantly during 72 hours of treatment (P<0.05) and the values of PaCO2 tended to decrease during the study but those were not significant changes. VEI and a/A PO2 ratio improved significantly for 48 hours following dexamethasone (P<0.05). After receiving dexamethasone, the urine output increased significantly during 72 hours of treatment (P<0.05). The average extubation time in dexamethasone-treated group was significantly earlier than that seen in control group (P<0.05). Also the average duration of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation of dexamethasone-treated infants were significantly shorter compared with those of control infants.
CONCLUSION
I conclude that early dexamethasone therapy from postnatal age of 1 week has beneficial effects in ventilated preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.