Novel Adjuvant Therapy with Zinc Supplementation in Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common dangerous chest problem that is caused by a lack of surfactant. Aim: The aim of this study was to show the role of zinc as an adjuvant anti-inflammatory therapy in neonatal RDS. Objective: To study the effect of zinc supplementation in cases of neonatal RDS. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) study was done on 90 neonates suffering from respiratory distress (RD) who had been diagnosed as RDS. The included neonates were classified into two groups: group 1, which received Zinc (Zn) supplementation, and group 2, which received a placebo. Down score, grades of RDS Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) andInterleukin-8 (IL-8) were estimated on the 1st and 5th day in the presence of incubators. Results: There were statistically significant differences (SSD) in grades of RDS, Down score, MDA, SOD and IL-8 on the 5th day between group 1 and 2(p = 0.001), and between 1st and 5th day in group 1 (p = 0.001) in the presence of an incubator. There was an SSD between groups 1 and 2 in the duration of hospitalization (p = 0.001) and the number of cases that needed mechanical ventilation (MV) (p = 0.049). Conclusion: Zn supplementation is associated with clinical and laboratory improvement in cases of neonatal RDS. Recommendation: Zn supplementation for RDS neonates.