J Korean Pediatr Soc.  1995 Feb;38(2):151-158.

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

• Choi H
• Bae CW
• Chung SJ
• Choi YM

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.

Keyword

Respiratory distress syndrome; Surfactant replacement therapy; Radiographic findings

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Emphysema
Gestational Age
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Infant, Newborn*
Pneumothorax
Pulmonary Surfactants
Radiography, Thoracic*
Respiration, Artificial
Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn
Thorax*
Pulmonary Surfactants