Surfactant administration without intubation in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome--our experiences.

Background: Surfactant replacement therapy is crucial in the management of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants. Classic strategies of surfactant administration required intubation. To reduce the need of intubation and mechanical ventilation (MV), we applied surfactant via a thin endotracheal catheter without intubation.

Assessment of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and interleukin-18 count in the serum of IUGR newborns.

Aim: Aim of this study was to assess concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the serum of newborns with diagnosed intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in comparison to concentrations in serum of newborns with weight appropriate for gestational age (AGA).

Materials: Research was conducted at the Lodz Medical University Clinic of Neonatology during 2010-2011. Surveyed group consisted of 50 hypotrophic full-term infants of single pregnancies (average weight: 2329 ± 287 g); control group, enclosing 50 infants AGA (average weight: 3544 ± 2161 g).