The NICHD Neonatal Research Network conducted a randomized trial at 11 centers comparing the efficacy of two surfactants -- Exosurf Neonatal (Burroughs Wellcome Co.) and Survanta (Ross Laboratories) -- for the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Newborn infants with birth weights of 501-1500g with respiratory distress syndrome who were receiving assisted ventilation with 30% oxygen or more within 6 hours of birth were enrolled between January 1991 and January 1992. Infants were randomly assigned to receive up to four intratracheal doses of either Exosurf Neonatal or Survanta.
The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of two surfactants, Exosurf Neonatal (Burroughs Wellcome Co.) and Survanta (Ross Laboratories), for the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.