Review Article
Treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Infants: A Review
Keishera Aldonza
Candidate for Bachelor, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Introduction
Preterm infants often display signs of respiratory distress syndrome at birth due to the immaturity of the lung structure, with respiratory morbidity decreasing as gestational age increases. Respiratory distress syndrome is caused by a deficiency of surfactants. Surfactants, a lipoprotein complex, function by decreasing the surface tension of the fluid surrounding the alveoli to prevent the collapse of the alveoli during the respiratory cycle. Infants may be intubated and administered prophylactic exogenous surfactant therapy beginning as early as the delivery room. Surfactant therapy given to preterm infants within the first two hours of life decreases the incidences of death and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Respiratory support is necessary for infants that are bradycardic, have inadequate breathing, or demonstrate signs of respiratory distress. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) used to aerate lungs is administered with either a soft cupped face mask or a single nasal tube that extends into the nasopharynx. A successful positive pressure ventilation (PPV) system minimizes airway leakage and obstruction, and increases total tidal volumes. Infants who do not resume …show more content…
Finer NN, Carlo WA, Walsh MC, Rich W, Gantz MG, Laptook AR, et al. Early CPAP versus surfactant in extremely preterm infants. N Engl J Med. 2010 May 27;362(21):1970–1979.
2. McCarthy LK, Twomey AR, Molloy EJ, Murphy JF, O'Donnell CPF. A randomized trial of nasal prong or face mask for respiratory support for preterm newborns. Pediatrics. 2013;132:389-95.
3. van Vonderen JJ, Kamlin CO, Dawson JA, Walther FJ, Davis PG, te Pas AB. Mask versus nasal tube for stabilization of preterm infants at birth: respiratory function measurements. J Pediatr.
Treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Infants: A Review
Keishera Aldonza
Candidate for Bachelor, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Introduction
Preterm infants often display signs of respiratory distress syndrome at birth due to the immaturity of the lung structure, with respiratory morbidity decreasing as gestational age increases. Respiratory distress syndrome is caused by a deficiency of surfactants. Surfactants, a lipoprotein complex, function by decreasing the surface tension of the fluid surrounding the alveoli to prevent the collapse of the alveoli during the respiratory cycle. Infants may be intubated and administered prophylactic exogenous surfactant therapy beginning as early as the delivery room. Surfactant therapy given to preterm infants within the first two hours of life decreases the incidences of death and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Respiratory support is necessary for infants that are bradycardic, have inadequate breathing, or demonstrate signs of respiratory distress. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) used to aerate lungs is administered with either a soft cupped face mask or a single nasal tube that extends into the nasopharynx. A successful positive pressure ventilation (PPV) system minimizes airway leakage and obstruction, and increases total tidal volumes. Infants who do not resume …show more content…
Finer NN, Carlo WA, Walsh MC, Rich W, Gantz MG, Laptook AR, et al. Early CPAP versus surfactant in extremely preterm infants. N Engl J Med. 2010 May 27;362(21):1970–1979.
2. McCarthy LK, Twomey AR, Molloy EJ, Murphy JF, O'Donnell CPF. A randomized trial of nasal prong or face mask for respiratory support for preterm newborns. Pediatrics. 2013;132:389-95.
3. van Vonderen JJ, Kamlin CO, Dawson JA, Walther FJ, Davis PG, te Pas AB. Mask versus nasal tube for stabilization of preterm infants at birth: respiratory function measurements. J Pediatr.