Comparison of Three Different Administration Positions for Intratracheal Beractant in Preterm Newborns with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of various intratracheal beractant administration positions in preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. Methods: This study was performed on preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. The inclusion criteria were being between 26 weeks and 32 weeks of gestational age, having a birth weight between 600 g and 1500 g, having received clinical and radiological confirmation for the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) within 3 hours of life, having been born in one of the centers where the study was carried out, and having fractions of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ≥ 0.40 to maintain oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter at 88–96%. Beractant was administered in four positions to Group I newborns, in two positions to Group II, and in neutral position to Group III. Results: Groups I and II consisted of 42 preterm infants in each whereas Group III included 41 preterm infants. No significant differences were detected among the groups with regards to maternal and neonatal risk factors. Groups were also similar in terms of the following complications: patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), pneumothorax, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), chronic lung disease (CLD), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), death within the first 3 days of life, death within the first 28 days of life, and rehospitalization within 1 month after discharge. Neither any statistically significant differences among the parameters related with surfactant administration, nor any significant statistical differences among the FiO2 levels and the saturation levels before and after the first surfactant administration among the groups were determined. Conclusion: In terms of efficacy and side effects, no important difference was observed between the recommended four position beractant application, the two position administration, and the neutral position.