Effects of Inhaled Salbutamol on Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn: A Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: One of the most common causes of respiratory distress in newborns is transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). Salbutamol is often suggested to increase the rate of pulmonary fluid absorption in newborns with TTN. This study hence aimed to evaluate the efficacy of inhaled salbutamol in TTN management.

Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 52 newborns admitted to the NICU of Fatemieh Hospital of Hamadan, Iran. The newborns were randomly assigned to two groups of equal members: one group received 2 ml of nebulized sodium chloride (control group) and the other group was treated with 0.1 mg/kg of salbutamol (treatment group). The clinical outcomes were then compared before and 0.5, 1, and 4 hours after the intervention. The data were recorded in a checklist and then were statistically analyzed in SPSS-16: the significant level was decided to be P<0.05.

Results: The comparison of TTN scores revealed a significant difference between the two groups one hour (P=0.005) and four hours (P<0.005) after the intervention. Moreover, the mean fraction of inspired oxygen one hour after the intervention was 53.3±6.6 in the treatment group and 57.7±7.5 in the control group (P=0.022). The mean duration of respiratory support in the treatment and control groups was 2.4±2.7 and 3.1±0.8 days, respectively (P=0.002). The findings suggested no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the adverse effects, length of stay (LOS), duration of antibiotics intake, oral feeding resumption time, and maximum oral feeding time (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The study results indicated that inhaled Salbutamol significantly decreased the TTN clinical score, oxygen demands, and duration of respiratory support, whereas there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of LOS.