The Effects of Inhaled Albuterol in Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn

Abstract

PurposeTransient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is a disorder caused by the delayed clearance of fetal alveolar fluid. β-adrenergic agonists such as albuterol (salbutamol) are known to catalyze lung fluid absorption. This study examined whether inhalational salbutamol therapy could improve clinical symptoms in TTN. Additional endpoints included the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of salbutamol as well as its overall safety.MethodsFrom January 2010 through December 2010, we conducted a prospective study of 40 newborns hospitalized with TTN in the neonatal intensive care unit. Patients were given either inhalational salbutamol (28 patients) or placebo (12 patients), and clinical indices were compared.ResultsThe duration of tachypnea was shorter in patients receiving inhalational salbutamol therapy, although this difference was not statistically significant. The duration of supplemental oxygen therapy and the duration of empiric antibiotic treatment were significantly shorter in the salbutamol-treated group. No adverse effects were observed in either treatment group.ConclusionsInhalational salbutamol therapy reduced the duration of supplemental oxygen therapy and the duration of empiric antibiotic treatment, with no adverse effects. However, the time between salbutamol therapy and clinical improvement was too long to allow definitive conclusions to be drawn. Further studies examining a larger number of patients with strict control over dosage and frequency of salbutamol inhalations are necessary to better direct the treatment of TTN.

The Effect of Inhaled Salbutamol in Transient of Tachypnea of the Newborn: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…At the second stage analysis, by exclusion of the retraction scores less than 2 we accomplished our primary objective compatible to the similar studies. In a study in Korea, Myo-Jing Kim et al indicated that the duration of supplemental oxygen therapy and empiric antibiotic therapy were significantly shorter in the salbutamol group but there was no significant difference in duration of tachypnea before 72 hours of admission and duration of hospitalization (23).…”

Effects of Nebulized Albuterol in Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn A Clinical Trial

“…Infants with transient tachypnea of the newborn were characterized based on the following clinical criteria: 1) At least 35 weeks gestational age, 2) presence of respiratory distress less than 6 hours after birth (respiratory rate more than 60/min, cyanosis, grunting, nasal flaring, or retraction), and 3) typical chest radiography findings (fluid in minor fissures, hyperinflation, prominent vascular/perihilar markers) (11).…”

Effect of salbutamol nebulization in transient tachypnea of newborn

“…This is in contrast to results observed by Armangil D et al 10 which showed significant decrease in respiratory rate (70±19 vs 62±14) and by Venkatamurthy et al 11 respiratory rate was (75.74±5.93 and 66.31±7.41) before and after nebulization respectively. Myo Jing Kim et al 12 showed that there was decrease in the duration of tachypnea after treatment with salbutamol nebulization than in the control group (31.3±23.7 h vs. 53.5±56.8 h, respectively); but this difference was not significant (P=0.37). However, no differences in the maximum respiratory rates during the acute period after inhalation treatment were observed between the salbutamol inhalation group and the control group.…”