Study of usefulness of budesonide nebulization in oxygen dependent preterm newborns in NICU

Abstract

Background: Increased duration of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay of preterm neonates have becoming an emotional and financial burden to parents leading to very high chances of parents discontinuing the treatment and thus increased morbidity and mortality of neonates. Oxygen dependency is the major cause of the prolonged NICU stay for the neonates having respiratory illness like respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), and pneumonia. Inhaled budesonide being a safe immunosuppressor has shown the promising result in the treatment of these immune system activated respiratory disorders of neonate and thus reduction of oxygen dependency and later reducing the hospital stay duration. The intent of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of inhaled budesonide in such respiratory disorders of neonate. Methods: A randomized controlled trial involving 60 oxygen dependent neonates in NICU was conducted from July 2021 to March 2023. Results: Budesonide nebulization decreased the duration of oxygen dependency of neonates and thus reduced NICU stay. Conclusions: Budesonide nebulization is associated with improvements in respiratory parameters in neonates with RDS, MAS, Pneumonia leading to early oxygen weaning and early discharge.