A randomized trial comparing beractant and poractant treatment in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

Aim: To compare the effects of beractant and poractant in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Methods: Infants with RDS were randomized to receive beractant or poractant. The primary outcome measure was fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) requirement in the first 48 h after surfactant therapy. Results: 58 infants completed the study. The mean gestational ages for the poractant and beractant groups were 29.6 ± 3.6 and 29.3 ± 2.9 wk, with average birthweights of 1394 ± 699 and 1408 ± 534 g, respectively. In the first 48 h, infants who received poractant had a lower FiO₂ requirement compared to those who received beractant (p = 0.018). The prevalence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was lower in the group of infants that received poractant (17%) compared to the group that received beractant (45%) (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Infants with RDS treated with poractant had a lower FiO₂ requirement during the first 48 h compared to infants who received beractant. Infants who received poractant also had fewer PDAs than infants who received beractant. The difference in FiO₂ was not associated with a difference in age of first extubation, total intubation time, or incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia between groups.