INTRAVENOUS INFUSION OF GLUCOSE AND SODIUM BICARBONATE IN HYALINE MEMBRANE DISEASE

A controlled trial of the effect of intravenous infusion of glucose and sodium bicarbonate was performed in 48 low weight newborn infants with hyaline membrane disease. The experimental design included diagnosis by clinical and radiological criteria and random assignment to the treatment and control series. In treated infants the mortality rate was lower, early death occurred less frequently and the neonatal survival curve was improved when compared with controls. Only the difference in survival curves of treated and control patients was statistically significant. Systolic blood pressure was found to be a factor of considerable prognostic significance. We conclude that intravenous infusions of glucose and sodium bicarbonate should be part of the routine therapy of infants with hyaline membrane disease.