NIH Radio
Early Treatment Prevents Lasting Breathing Problems in Premature Babies
Brief Description:
Two large multi-center studies supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute found that inhaled nitric oxide — or "N-O" — helps prevent chronic lung disease in premature infants and, if used within 48 hours after birth, might also prevent brain injury in these tiny newborns.
Transcript:
Thornton: Two large multi-center studies supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute found that inhaled nitric oxide — or "N-O" — helps prevent chronic lung disease in premature infants and, if used within 48 hours after birth, might also prevent brain injury in these tiny newborns. Dr. Mary Anne Berberich, Scientific Research Group Leader in the Developmental Biology of the Lung and Pediatric Lung Diseases at the NHLBI talked about some of the findings.
Berberich: The study was really looking for the efficacy of using NO treatment to decrease the risk of developing BPD and decrease the risk of death. So the end point was survival without BPD at 36 weeks post menstrual age.
Thornton: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia — or BPD — often occurs when premature birth apparently interrupts normal development of the lung. The results of this study can be found in the July 27th issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. For more information, visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov. From The National Institutes of Health, I'm Matt Thornton in Bethesda Maryland.
About This Audio Report
Date: 8/04/2006
Reporter: Matt Thornton
Sound Bite: Dr. Mary Anne Berberich
Topic: Premature Birth
Institute(s): NHLBI
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