The management of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants (European Consensus Guidelines—2013 update)

In May 2013, a European panel of expert neonatologists published a consensus guideline on the management of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the Journal of Neonatology .1 The aim of the guideline was to provide recommendations based on the most up-to-date evidence in the perinatal management of RDS to maximise survival while minimising potential adverse effects. The first edition of the European Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Neonatal RDS was published in 2007 in the Journal of Perinatal Medicine .2 The recommendations were subsequently updated, and a second edition was published in 2010 in the Journal of Neonatology .3 This third edition of the guidelines incorporates evidence published up to the end of 2012. A system for grading the scientific evidence (GRADE) has been used.4 The European Association of Perinatal Medicine has endorsed all three guideline editions. Controversial and key issues that the guideline addresses