Randomized trial of artificial surfactant (ALEC) given at birth to babies from 23 to 34 weeks gestation

Abstract

Artificial surfactant (ALEC) composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine and unsaturated phosphatidylglycerol in a ratio of 7:3 (w/w) and a dose of 50–100 mg was suspended in 1 ml of cold saline and used at birth as a prophylaxis against the respiratory distress syndrome and its complications in a two centre randomized prospective trial involving 341 babies from 23 to 34 weeks gestation regardless of their antenatal problems. The surfactant had little effect in babies above 29 weeks gestation and was most beneficial in babies under 30 weeks gestation (67 controls and 69 surfactant treated babies). In this subgroup the artificial surfactant significantly reduced the inspired oxygen and peak ve..