OBJECTIVE: To determine long-term outcome of pulmonary function in preterm infants treated with bovine surfactant for respiratory distress syndrome, we investigated lung function in these patients at school-age.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 40/52 surviving infants taking part in a randomized multi-center trial for the treatment of RDS were investigated. Initial treatment consisted of either up to 200 mg/kg of a bovine surfactant(Alveofact®) or air placebo. 22 had received surfactant (S), 18 were placebo-treated (P). Mean (SD) gestational age had been 28.1 (1.5) and 27.7(1.3) weeks. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia had been diagnosed in 2 surfactant-treated patients as compared to 9 in the control group. At follow-up mean (SD) age was 6.63 (0.18) and 6.55 (0.23) years.

RESULTS: Both groups had a similar history of recurrent respiratory tract infections and obstructive bronchitis. A complete lung function test (LFT) was attempted in all patients. Satisfactory data were obtained in 17/22 surfactant treated and in 12/18 control children. There was no significant difference for any of the parameters measured. Mean (SD) TGV was 0.97 (0.18) and 0.90 (0.20) L, mean (SD) Rawexp was 1.04 (0.26) and 1.15 (0.53) kPa/L/s and FEF25 was 0.76 (0.25) and 0.79 (0.35) L/s for surfactant and placebo group. To test bronchial hyperreactivity, a simple running test was performed. There was no difference with regard to Raw, FEV1 and PEF following the challenge between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: At a mean age of 6.6 years there was no significant difference in basic lung function parameters in children being either treated with a bovine surfactant (Alveofact®) or air placebo.