Diagnosis and management of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in Japan: A national survey.

BACKGROUND

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is characterized by a lack of lung surfactant; therefore, biochemical evidence of surfactant deficiency is needed to diagnose RDS. European guidelines recommend surfactant administration when patients need fraction of inspired oxygen exceeding 0.3 on continuous positive airway pressure or intubation. We hypothesized that the European guidelines for surfactant administration were not adopted in Japan because of the lack of RDS diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate neonatologists' attitudes and practices regarding the diagnosis and management of RDS in Japan.

METHODS

A mail-based survey regarding the diagnosis and management of RDS was conducted at 111 level III or ΙV neonatal intensive care units in Japan. The questionnaire was completed by the person in charge of each unit.

RESULTS

The overall response rate for the questionnaire was 91% (101/111 centers). All respondents referred to chest radiography, and the majority (83%) of respondents referred to stable microbubble rating (SMR) for establishing the diagnosis of RDS. Surfactant administration was chiefly based on clinical conditions, chest radiography, and/or SMR. Most units in Japan do not adopt the European criteria for surfactant administration.

CONCLUSION

In Japan, chest radiography and/or SMR are commonly used for the diagnosis of RDS and as the rationale for surfactant administration. Further studies from other countries are required to establish the ideal criteria for surfactant administration.