Inhaled nitric oxide in very preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome

AIM: To test the hypothesis that inhaled nitric oxide therapy can decrease the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and death in preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome; to evaluate the possible predictive factors for the response to inhaled nitric oxide therapy. METHODS: Preterm infants (less than 30 weeks' gestation) were randomized to receive during the first week of life inhaled nitric oxide, or nothing, if they presented severe respiratory distress syndrome. Then, the treated infants were classified as non responders and responders. RESULTS: Twenty infants were enrolled in the inhaled nitric oxide therapy group and 20 in the control group. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and death were less frequent in the inhaled nitric oxide group than in the control group (50 vs. 90%, p=0.016). Moreover, nitric oxide treatment was found to decrease as independent factor the combined incidence of death and BPD (OR=0.111; 95% C.I. 0.02-0.610). A birth weight lower than 750 grams had a significant predictive value for the failure of responding to inhaled nitric oxide therapy (OR 12; 95% C.I. 1.3-13.3). CONCLUSION: Inhaled nitric oxide decreases the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and death in preterm infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome. Birth weight may influence the effectiveness of inhaled nitric oxide therapy in promoting oxygenation improvement in preterm infants.     

Fibre optic versus conventional phototherapy for hyperbilirubinaemia in preterm infants

Studies comparing efficacy of fibre optic phototherapy to conventional phototherapy are performed mostly in term infants and give conflicting results. This randomized prospective study compares efficacy of fibre optic phototherapy using the Ohmeda Biliblanket device to conventional fluorescent phototherapy in preterm infants. A total of 124 preterm infants with a nonhaemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia were evaluated. Stratification at randomisation was performed according to birth weight (<1000 g, 1000–1500 g or 1500–2000 g). Fifty-six infants received fibre optic and 68 conventional phototherapy. Efficacy was assessed by comparing the required duration of phototherapy. Median duration of phototherapy was 118 h and 114 h in the fibre optic and conventional groups respectively, the difference in which was not statistically significant. The median durations were also not significantly different within the separate weight groups. The number of infants requiring exchange transfusions was similar in both treatment groups. Conclusion The efficacy of fibre optic phototherapy in preterm infants is comparable to conventional phototherapy. Received: 14 May 1996 and in revised form: 20 June 1997 / Accepted: 23 June 1997     

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目的 探讨早期、晚期早产儿与足月儿呼吸窘迫综合征(RDS)的发病趋势和临床特征的差异,为临床合理诊治提供依据。方法 2006年1月至2010年12月在郑州大学第三附属医院住院的963例RDS患儿根据胎龄不同分为早期早产儿组(<34周)679例,晚期早产儿组(34～<37周)204例,足月儿组(≥37周)80例,分别对各组患儿的发病率、入院情况、高危因素、临床诊治、预后及并发症进行比较。结果 RDS的发病率逐年增加,均以早期早产儿占多数,晚期早产儿和足月儿RDS比例有增多趋势;RDS患儿男婴超过女婴(P<0.05),且胎龄和体重越大,男婴比例越高;足月儿RDS组产前糖皮质激素使用率明显低于早产儿组;早产儿发生RDS的高危因素主要有胎膜早破、胎盘异常、母亲妊娠高血压疾病,足月儿发生RDS的高危因素主要是择期剖宫产与感染;晚期早产儿与足月儿RDS的临床诊断和应用肺泡表面活性物质(PS)时间均晚于早期早产儿;足月儿RDS应用机械通气比例明显高于早产儿,其临床治愈率高(P<0.05),在死亡率方面与早产儿组无差别;但并发气胸的比例高于早产儿组(P<0.05)。结论 新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征(NRDS)发病率逐年增高,晚期早产儿和足月儿RDS比例有增多趋势;早期、晚期早产儿与足月儿RDS在性别比例、高危因素、起病特点、治疗反应与并发症方面均存在差异,RDS的诊治需要考虑胎龄因素。足月儿RDS多与择期剖宫产、感染有关,发病相对较晚,容易合并气胸,应引起足够重视。     

Mean platelet volume in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in mean platelet volume (MPV) between neonates with and without neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Eighty-three premature infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were included in the study. Forty-four of these infants were diagnosed as having RDS and the other 39 infants were non-RDS patients. Infants born to mothers with pre-eclampsia, or a drug history that had negative effects on platelet count, perinatal hypoxia, sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis were excluded. Blood collection was done on the first and third days of life. There were no demographic, gestational or platelet count differences between groups, but MPV was higher in RDS patients and this difference was statistically significant ( P = 0.011). High platelet volumes in RDS patients is probably related to young platelet production and may be a result of increased platelet consumption in pulmonary damage due to RDS.     

容量保证机械通气在呼吸窘迫综合征早产儿中应用

目的 比较容量保证(VG)与压力控制(PC)两种机械通气模式在呼吸窘迫综合征(RDS)早产儿中的应用效果。方法 前瞻性选择2017年03月至2021年04月NICU收治的胎龄<32周或出生体质量<1 500g,需要有创机械通气的RDS早产儿作为研究对象,按简单随机法分为VG组和PC组。比较两组拔管前的呼吸机参数及动脉血气,有创机械通气时间、总呼吸支持时间及平均住院时间,并发症发生率及病死率。结果 最终RDS早产儿79例完成研究,男46例、女33例,平均胎龄(30.1±1.2)周,平均出生体质量(1 239.0±158.0)g,VG组36例、PC组43例。与PC组比较,VG组在拔管前的平均气道压较低,有创机械通气时间、总呼吸支持时间以及平均住院时间均缩短,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 在RDS早产儿的机械通气治疗中,VG通气可能是一种更加安全有效的通气方式,但仍需要大样本、多中心的临床试验证实。     

Risk of bilirubin acid precipitation in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome: considerations of blood/brain bilirubin transfer equilibrium

Twenty-six preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), were examined daily during the first 6 days of life. Twenty-six equally preterm but clinically well infants served as controls. In the RDS infants, plasma albumin concentration was low, hyperbilirubinemia was prolonged, plasma pH was decreased during the first two days, and the concentration of reserve albumin for binding of monoacetyldiaminodiphenylsulfone (MADDS), a deputy ligand for bilirubin, was decreased on the second throughout the sixth day, when compared with the controls. These factors concur in increasing the likelihood of bilirubin acid precipitation in RDS above the increased risk present in preterm infants. The plasma of the preterm controls was supersaturated with respect to crystalline bilirubin acid by an average factor 5 (index of plasma bilirubin toxicity = 0.7) on the first day of life, peaking at a factor 10 (index 1.0) on the third and fourth days while these factors were 10 and 20 (index 1.0 and 1.3), respectively, in the RDS infants. Two of the latter surpassed a level of 60 times supersaturation (index 1.8) where acute precipitation of amorphous bilirubin acid becomes possible.     

沐舒坦不同给药方式预防早产儿呼吸窘迫综合征疗效观察

目的：沐舒坦具有促进肺表面活性物质合成和分泌的作用。近年来已有较多学者将其用于预防早产儿呼吸窘迫综合征(RDS),取得了较好的临床疗效。该研究旨在比较静脉和雾化两种不同途径使用沐舒坦预防早产儿RDS的疗效。方法：将我院产科出生的早产儿(胎龄28～37周)随机分为静脉给药组、雾化吸入组两个用药组及未用沐舒坦的对照组,静脉给药组于出生后立即从脐静脉注射沐舒坦15mg/kg,随后静脉点滴每日30mg/kg,分2次给药;雾化给药组给予氧气驱动雾化吸入沐舒坦每日30mg/kg,分2次给药,均用药2d;对照组不使用沐舒坦。比较3组RDS的发生率、并发症及住院6h血气分析结果。结果：①静脉给药组RDS的发生率为7.5%,雾化给药组为5.0%,对照组为24.4%,两用药组间比较差异无显著性,但均低于对照组(P<0.05)。②两用药组住院6h的血气分析结果与对照组比较差异有显著性(P<0.05),两用药组间比较差异无显著性。③两用药组并发症发生率明显低于对照组(P<0.05),两用药组间比较差异无显著性。结论：新生儿早期使用沐舒坦预防RDS,具有一定疗效,无论是经静脉还是雾化给药,均能获得相同的效果。     

沐舒坦治疗新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征的疗效观察

目的　 观察沐舒坦治疗新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征的疗效。 方法 　对 66例符合条件的研究对象进行分层随机分配 ,在上呼吸机的同时 ,治疗组 (34例 )予沐舒坦针剂 (每次 7 5mg/kg) ,对照组 (32例 )则予生理盐水 ,两组输注时间均大于5min ,均每 6h一次 ,连用 7d。实验观察期达 2 8d ,期间观察用药后 2 4、36、48、60、72、84、96h ,各研究对象MAP、PaO2 /FiO2 的变化以及患儿并发症的发生率、两组死亡发生率。 结果 　治疗组与对照组MAP在开始用药后 60h、72h、84h、96h差异有统计学意义 ,P均<0 0 5。两组PaO2 /FiO2 在 60h、72h ,84h ,96h亦差异显著 ,有统计学意义 ,P均 <0 0 5。治疗组及对照组脑室周围 -脑室内出血 (SHE -IVH)发生率分别为 2 9 41%、5 6 2 5 % ,χ2 =4 861,P <0 0 5 ,相对危险度降低率 (RRR) :47 72 % ,需治疗人数 (NNT) :3 7;支气管肺发育不良 (BPD)、气胸、死亡发生率治疗组较对照组均有下降 ,其RRR、NNT均提示有临床意义。 结论 　沐舒坦在用药 60h后能显著改善NRDS的肺换气功能及降低机械通气时的平均气道压力 ,显著减少NRDS患儿中SHE IVH的发生率 ,降低BPD、死亡、气漏的发生率     

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??Objective To investigate the different clinical characteristics of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome??NRDS?? in infants of various gestational ages and to provide a new basis for clinical treatment. Methods A total of 80 cases of NRDS infants in the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from March 2012 to March 2014 were divided into two groups according to gestational age: early preterm infants group??< 34 weeks??42 cases, M group????and nearly full-term group??≥ 34 weeks??38 cases, N group??.Lung surface active substances (PS) replacement and auxiliary ventilation were used, and the general situation??risk factors??treatment condition??prognosis and complications in each group were analyzed. Results The morbidity of NRDS in the male was higher than in the female. The onset time of M group was earlier than N group. In M group it was due to the fact that glucocorticoid was not used and premature birth . In N group it was due to caesarean section. The higher incidence of NRDS in M group was due to premature rupture of membranes and placental abnormality. The lower incidence of NRDS in M group was due to pregnancy hypertension, diabetes, intrauterine distress and abnormal umbilical cord . The PS use time in M group was less than N group. The secondary utilization rate in M group was higher than the N group. The distress degree of M group was higher, and assisted ventilation time and complications were more, compared to N group. Conclusion There are different clinical characteristics of NRDS in infants of various gestational ages. Correct guidance should be given during pregnancy and childbirth and appropriate treatment should be chosen.     

Efficacy of "high-intensity" blue-light and "standard" daylight phototherapy for non-haemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia

We report our clinical experience with phototherapy in 3802 infants; 3629 were exposed to "standard" daylight phototherapy and 173 to "high-intensity" blue-light phototherapy. High-intensity blue-light phototherapy was twice as effective as standard daylight phototherapy in decreasing bilirubin concentrations. No failures occurred with high-intensity phototherapy compared with an overall failure rate of 1.84/1000 with daylight lamps; these cases were transferred to high-intensity phototherapy with prompt response. Rebound after cessation of phototherapy was greater in those exposed to high-intensity blue light with a significantly greater number requiring a second exposure. However, the incidence was still low. No third exposure was required in any infant. Nursing of infants under high-intensity blue light was more difficult and inconvenient as was clinical monitoring. The light also caused more stress on the nursing and medical personnel. However, the infants tolerated both types of phototherapy equally well. High-intensity blue-light phototherapy would seem to be the treatment of choice for infants with rapidly increasing or very high bilirubin levels, as well as in those not responding adequately to daylight phototherapy.     

新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征呼吸治疗的选择

目的 针对近期收治的1例生后即气管插管内导入PS治疗后出现双侧肺通气不均的NRDS患者，检索当前最佳证据, 并对其进行评价，以指导临床正确合理地使用。方法 首先提出临床问题，然后对MEDLINE (1993～2008年)、tripdatabase(1993～2008)、Cochrane Lib(2008 Issue 2)进行检索，并对检索到的证据进行评价。检索词为preterm infant、respiratory distress syndrome、pulmonary surfactant and ventilation。结果 共检索到系统评价8篇，临床指南3篇，随机对照试验9篇。结论 临床指南、系统评价和随机对照试验为我们选择和运用最佳治疗方案提供了有力证据。     

BiliBlanket phototherapy system versus conventional phototherapy: A randomized controlled trial in preterm infants

Objective: This study compares the use of standard overhead fluorescent phototherapy units with the BiliBlanket a woven fibreoptic pad which delivers high intensity light with no ultraviolet or infrared irradiation in the treatment of jaundice in preterm infants.
Methodology: We chose to study infants between 800 and 2500 g, with strict criteria for commencing and ceasing phototherapy. Serum bilirubin levels were followed at 12–24 h intervals until 24 h after cessation of phototherapy. Infants were allocated at random to receive either conventional phototherapy or the BiliBlanket.
Results: There were 24 infants in the conventional group and 20 in the BiliBlanket group. Mean duration of phototherapy was compared and was 44 h for the conventional group versus 42 h for the BiliBlanket group.
Conclusions: We have shown that the BiliBlanket is as effective as conventional phototherapy and was well accepted by nursing staff and parents.     

Comparison of the efficacy of conventional special blue light phototherapy and fiberoptic phototherapy in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia

The efficacy and usefulness of two types of phototherapy differing in the source, wavelength and irradiance of the light, conventional phototherapy consisting of special blue light and fiberoptic phototherapy, were compared in a relatively larger series of term newborns with non-haemolytic and more significant hyperbilirubinaemia than those in previous studies. In total, 108 newborns were allocated sequentially to receive either conventional phototherapy consisting of five special blue lamps or fiberoptic phototherapy. The average spectral irradiance measured at the skin surface level of newborns during the study period was significantly greater in the conventional phototherapy group. The special blue lamp of the conventional phototherapy unit had an emission spectrum almost identical to the bilirubin absorption spectrum, whereas the tungsten-halogen lamp of the fiberoptic phototherapy had a broad emission through the blue and green wavelengths (mainly in the green spectrum). Phototherapy was more effective in the conventional phototherapy group; the duration of exposure to phototherapy (h) was significantly shorter, and the overall bilirubin decline rate (as micromol/l/h and %/h) was significantly greater in the conventional phototherapy group. According to the nursing personnel, fiberoptic phototherapy was more comfortable than the conventional phototherapy frame because of the easier accessibility and handling of the infants during phototherapy. They complained of giddiness, nausea, glare, temporary blurring of vision and difficulty in detecting the skin colour changes of newborns with the blue light of the conventional phototherapy unit. Conventional phototherapy consisting of special blue fluorescent lamps with approximately twofold higher irradiance and an emission spectrum almost identical to the bilirubin absorption spectrum is preferable to fiberoptic phototherapy in the standard treatment of term newborns with non-haemolytic hyperbilirubinaemia.     

早产儿呼吸窘迫综合征遗传学研究进展

呼吸窘迫综合征( respiratory distress syndrome,RDS)是早产儿常见的呼吸系统疾病危重症,肺表面活性物质缺乏是其主要发病机制。近年来研究表明,遗传易患性参与早产儿RDS的发病。该文对近年来国内外关于早产儿RDS的遗传易患性及相关候选基因的研究进展作一综述。     

Surfactant improves oxygenation in infants and children with pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome

AIM: Pneumonia in childhood may be associated with surfactant dysfunction and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of surfactant treatment on oxygenation in 8 infants (age range: 1 mo to 13 y) with severe respiratory failure owing to viral, bacterial or Pneumocystis Carinii pneumonia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Instillation of a modified porcine surfactant (Curosurf) improved gas exchange immediately. Median paO2/FiO2 increased from 66 to 140 mmHg (8.8-18.7 kPa; p < 0.01) within 1 h of surfactant treatment. Seven of the 8 patients received multiple surfactant doses. Four patients (50%) died 3-62 d after surfactant treatment. However, 6 patients (75%) were immunodeficient, so that the observed mortality rate was mainly due to the underlying disease. CONCLUSION: Surfactant dysfunction probably plays a role in the pathophysiology of severe paediatric ARDS triggered by pneumonia, as it was found that surfactant instillation rapidly improved gas exchange in the majority of the affected infants in our study. Larger randomized controlled studies are necessary to evaluate the effects of surfactant treatment on morbidity and mortality.     

Plasma carnitine levels in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND: Antenatal carnitine administration has been shown to induce fetal lung maturity by increasing pulmonary surfactant in animal and human studies. In this study, the aim was to investigate the status of carnitine in maternal and neonatal plasma of preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the first hours of life. METHODS: Maternal plasma carnitine levels were determined before delivery and neonatal plasma carnitine levels were determined within 2 h of birth in preterm infants (< 34 weeks gestational age) who developed RDS in the first 6 h of life and in the control group. RESULTS: The mean neonatal plasma free carnitine level was significantly lower in preterm infants with RDS than in the control group (28.3 +/- 8.8 micromol/L and 36.9 +/- 18.4 micromol/L, respectively; P < 0.05) while the mean maternal plasma-free carnitine levels were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low neonatal plasma carnitine levels in preterm infants with RDS may be due to decreased maternal-fetal transfer of carnitine or to increased consumption of carnitine in fetal lung tissue for surfactant synthesis. This could be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants.     

早产儿呼吸窘迫综合征的呼吸支持策略及研究进展

新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征（respiratory distress syndrome,RDS）多见于早产儿,胎龄越小,发病率越高。近年的大规模随机对照研究突出了产房内开始的持续气道正压通气（continuous positive airway pressure,CPAP）在RDS防治中的重要作用,对于生后有自主呼吸的早产儿,产房内应用CPAP优于气管插管,而顶防性应用肺表面活性物质（pulmonary surfactant,PS）不再具有优势。2013版欧洲新生儿RDS防治指南推荐有患RDS风险的早产儿生后均应立即接受CPAP支持,初设呼气末正压至少6cmH2O（1cmn20=0．098kPa）;对于患RDS的早产儿,最理想的处理是生后CPAP以及早期解救性PS应用。而需要气管插管的早产儿应尽早接受PS替代治疗。不能耐受CPAP的患儿更换通气模式为无创正压通气可能降低拔管失败率。目前有多种策略来缩短机械通气时间并增加无创通气的成功率。患RDS的极早产儿应常规接受咖啡因治疗以提高撤机成功率,并降低支气管肺发育不良的发生率。生后1～2周后仍不能脱离呼吸机者,需接受小剂量递减地塞米松治疗,但应避免生后1周内应用地塞米松以及较大剂量应用。     

Randomized controlled trial of oral versus intravenous fluid supplementation on serum bilirubin level during phototherapy of term infants with severe hyperbilirubinaemia

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rates of decrease in serum bilirubin levels in severely jaundiced healthy term infants given oral or intravenous fluid supplementation during phototherapy. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was carried out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia over a 12-month period. Fifty-four healthy term infants with severe hyperbilirubinemia were randomized to receive either solely enteral feeds (n = 27) or both enteral and intravenous (n = 27) fluid during phototherapy. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the mean birthweight, mean gestational age, ethnic distribution, gender distribution, modes of delivery and types of feeding between the two groups. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the mean indirect serum bilirubin (iSB) level at the time of admission to the NICU between the enteral (359 +/- 69 micromol/L [mean +/- SD]) and intravenous group (372 +/- 59 micromol/L; P = 0.4). The mean rates of decrease in iSB during the first 4 h of phototherapy were also not significantly different between the enteral group (10.4 +/- 4.9 micromol/L per h) and intravenous group (11.2 +/- 7.4 micromol/L per h; P = 0.6). There was no significant difference in the proportion of infants requiring exchange transfusion (P = 0.3) nor in the median duration of hospitalization (P = 0.7) between the two groups. No infant developed vomiting or abdominal distension during the study period. CONCLUSION: Severely jaundiced healthy term infants had similar rates of decrease in iSB levels during the first 4 h of intensive phototherapy, irrespective of whether they received oral or intravenous fluid supplementation. However, using the oral route avoided the need for intravenous cannulae and their attendant complications.     

Serum free T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone levels in preterm infants and relationship between these levels and respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND: There have been few studies of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) surge in extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) infants, and the relationship between thyroid hormones and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has yet to be clarified. The present study sought to determine the serum levels of free T4 (fT4) and TSH in ELBW infants and to examine the relationship between these levels and the development of RDS. METHODS: The authors measured serum fT4 and TSH levels soon after birth in 449 preterm infants, who were born at 22-36 weeks of gestation, and determined the associations between these levels, the incidence of RDS, and the recognized clinical factors associated with RDS. RESULTS: Serum fT4 and TSH levels, and the fT4/TSH ratio, in the group at 22-24 weeks of gestation were significantly lower than those in the group at 28-36 weeks. The levels and ratio increased significantly with increasing gestational age. There were significant correlations between the serum fT4 level and the birthweight, Apgar score, and gender, and between the serum TSH level and the gestational age, mode of delivery, and birthweight. No significant relationship between the incidence of RDS and the serum levels of fT4 and TSH was observed. CONCLUSION: The authors' results suggest that the serum levels of fT4 and TSH in ELBW infants are very low, and that these levels are not correlated with the occurrence of RDS.     

The effects of early postnatal dexamethasone therapy on pulmonary outcome in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome: a two-year follow-up study

AIM: To evaluate the pulmonary outcome at corrected age of 2 y on preterm infants who participated in a double-blind trial of early postnatal dexamethasone therapy (< 12 h after birth) for the prevention of chronic lung disease. METHODS: Clinical respiratory status, blood gases, acid-base balance and pulmonary function were evaluated at corrected age of 2 y in 116 preterm infants (59 infants in the control group; 57 in the dexamethasone-treated group). In the dexamethasone-treated group, dexamethasone was administered intravenously every 12 h in tapering doses: 0.25 mg/kg on days 1 through 7, 0.12 mg/kg on days 8 through 14, 0.05 mg/kg on days 15 through 21, and 0.02 mg/kg on days 21 through 28. RESULTS: The clinical and laboratory characteristics in the perinatal period were comparable between the groups. At the time of follow-up (mean +/- SD corrected age was 25.1 +/- 4.8 mo for the control group and 24.6 +/- 5.1 mo for the dexamethasone-treated group), there was a slightly lower mean body weight and body length, and a lower psychomotor developmental index in the dexamethasone-treated group than in the control group (10.9 +/- 2.1 vs 11.5 +/- 1.9 kg, 84.4 +/- 6.1 vs 85.9 +/- 5.8 cm, and 82 +/- 24 vs 89 +/- 26, respectively); however, these differences were not statistically significant. There were no significant differences between the control and dexamethasone-treated groups in clinical respiratory status, blood gases, acid-base balance or in lung mechanics (V(T): 9.5 +/- 2.0 vs 9.4 +/- 1.9 ml/kg; V(min): 0.23 +/- 0.04 vs 0.23 +/- 0.03 l/min/kg; C(RS): 13.1 +/- 3.9 vs 12.6 +/- 3.6 ml/kPa/kg; R(RS): 1.56 +/- 0.64 vs 1.62 +/- 0.58 kPa/l/s, respectively). CONCLUSION: There was no apparent adverse respiratory outcome associated with early postnatal dexamethasone therapy.