Abstract

Background: Pulmonary inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of intratracheal administration combination of pulmonary surfactant (PS) and budesonide with surfactant alone in preterm neonates. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed in Yazd between 2020 and 2022. A total of 70 preterm neonates weighing between 800 and 1500 g were included in the study. Results: The risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in infants treated with PS and budesonide was seven times lower than in the surfactant group alone (P = 0.004). Furthermore, in the intervention group, the hospitalization period (P = 0.004) and retinopathy of prematurity (P = 0.02) were significantly reduced. Conclusion: In these neonates, intratracheal administration of surfactant/budesonide combination significantly decreases the incidence of frequent apnea, BPD, continuous positive airway pressure therapy, and earlier discharge. There is a need for larger trials and an exact evaluation of side effects.