Abstract

Background: To date there is no effective drug treatment for transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) and respiratory support is the only means to handle this disease. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of albuterol (Salbutamol) in improvement of respiratory distress in involved neonates. Methods: We conducted a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial Neonates with TTN received either nebulized albuterol (30 neonates) or placebo (30 neonates), and early clinical parameters were measured during and after treatment. Results: Totally 60 neonates including 31 males and 29 females, mean gestational age of 36.9 +/- 1.69 weeks, mean weight of 2703 +/- 589 gr, were analyzed. Respiratory distress score was significantly decreased in treatment compared to placebo group (from 5.6 at the start to 1.7 at the end of study vs 5.6 to 3.9 respectively) and the PO2 was significantly increased in neonates receiving nebulized albuterol compared to the placebo group (from 58.5 at the start to 84.8 at the end of study vs 58.2 to 70.2 respectively). No adverse effects were observed in either group. The duration of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) application was significantly decreased in the treatment group compared to the placebo group (1.6 +/- 0.77 vs. 3.3 +/- 0.98 respectively) (P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Application of nebulized albuterol caused a considerable improvement in the respiratory distress of neonates at its primary hour of using via reduction of respiratory scores, duration and concentration of oxygen requirement, and duration of CPAP without any side effects. Therefore, this drug can be applied in the treatment of Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn appropriately.