Pragmatic Evaluation of Respiratory Distress Syndrome Treatment in Africa

The low- and middle-income countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) carry the highest burden of preterm births and deaths. A primary driver of preterm mortality in SSA is respiratory distress syndrome. Surfactant replacement therapy by the less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) is a technique where the surfactant is administered to a preterm neonate with respiratory distress syndrome managed on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), reducing the need for using an invasive mechanical ventilator. In high-income countries, LISA has been shown to be effective in reducing the need for invasive mechanical ventilators and mortality. However, the impact of LISA is unknown in low-resourced settings without ventilators.

The central hypothesis is that implementing LISA in newborn units that care for preterm neonates using standardized CPAP and caffeine citrate will improve survival in preterm neonates.

PICO Outline:

Population: Preterm neonates 750 and 2000 grams or gestational age between 24- and 35 weeks at birth with respiratory distress defined by a Silverman Anderson Score of ≥5, who are spontaneously breathing and on CPAP.

Intervention: Surfactant administered through the less invasive surfactant administration (LISA), technique.

Comparator: Standard of care - standardized CPAP and Caffeine.

Outcome measures: Primary Outcome: All-cause in-hospital survival.

Inclusion criteria

• Birth weight between 750 and 2000 grams or gestational age between 24- and 35 weeks.
• Silverman Anderson Score ≥5 before or after CPAP treatment.
• Admitted to a study site within 24 hours of life.

Exclusion criteria

• Major congenital or genetic anomalies.
• Active pulmonary hemorrhage.
• Major craniofacial anomalies that preclude the successful use of CPAP