Use of CPAP and surfactant therapy in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a major disease burden in the developing countries. Current evidence supports early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use and early selective surfactant administration as the most efficacious interventions in the management of RDS, both in developed and developing countries. In developing countries, it is recommended to increase institutional deliveries and increase the coverage of antenatal steroids in women in preterm labor as preventive measures. Establishing intervention of CPAP and surfactant therapies in the Level II special care newborn units (SCNUs) and Level III units requires focus on training nursing staff and pediatricians across the board. These approaches would pave the way in optimizing the care of the preterm infants with RDS and decrease their mortality and morbidity significantly.