Sandton Mediclinic Hospital, Neonatal ICU, South Africa
Short Communication
Is Early Surfactant Administration Associated with Reduced Mortality in the Late Preterm Infant?
Author(s): AJ Van Heerden*
Background: The late preterm infant is at great risk of neglect because it is perceived as near term, however this group suffers from disease due to prematurity and needs great attention. Surfactant use is a well-established intervention that improves outcomes in preterm infants however the timing of its use in this group is not well studied.
Objective: To assess whether administration of surfactant within 30 min of birth when clinically indicated reduces mortality in the late preterm infant, and to compare rates of early surfactant use and mortality to international trends using the Vermont Oxford Network database.
Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted at private neonatal ICU in Gauteng, where data were collected from 2002 to 2013. Data on mortality and surfactant use were compiled using the online database .. View more»