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Am J Perinatol 2002; 19(3): 155-162
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-25314
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Functional Residual Capacity (FRC) Does Not Predict Response to Surfactant in Preterm Infants

Mariette Dermendjian, Swati Varma, Alfred N. Krauss, Peter A.M. Auld
  • Perinatology Center, Department of Pediatrics, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York
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Publication Date:
25 April 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

We tested the hypothesis that the initial functional residual capacity (FRC) of preterm infants with hyaline membrane disease (HMD) could predict the response to surfactant replacement (Survanta, 4 mL/kg/dose), with a better initial FRC being correlated with a greater improvement in PaO2, a/A PO2 ratio, and FRC. Thirty-four preterm infants were studied on 41 occasions. FRC and arterial blood gases were measured immediately prior to treatment. FRC was measured by the helium dilution method. Arterial blood gases were measured again after 30, 60, and 120 minutes. FRC was measured after 120 minutes. Twenty-seven treatments resulted in an increase in PaO2 >10 mmHg (responders); 14 did not (nonresponders). There was no correlation between initial FRC, change in FRC, and change in PaO2 (r 2 = 0.07). These results suggest that there is no relationship between initial FRC and response to surfactant treatment.

KEYWORD

FRC - arterial/alveolar PO2 ratio - surfactant replacement - hyaline membrane disease - preterm infants

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