Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of using recombinant human DNase (rhDNase) in diminishing persistent atelectasis unresponsive to conventional treatment and mucus plugging in newborns with insufficient ability to clear thick and purulent airway secretions.
Methods: Twelve newborns (10 preterms), who did not respond to conventional methods, received rhDNase nebulized therapy at a dose of 1.25 mg over a 15-minute period, twice a day (2 hours between the doses) for up to 3 days. The application of the drug was continued for up to 3 days or until the improvement of atelectasis. After a-three-day therapy, if atelectasis did not improve, a single dose (1.25 mg) of the same drug in liquid form was administered endotracheally. Clinical (respiration rate, requirement for oxygen concentration) and radiological response (chest x-ray scoring), duration of the treatment, recurrence of atelectasis and requirement for additional therapy were evaluated.
Results: Ten out of 12 patients showed rapid clinical and radiological improvement after nebulized treatment. Two patients who did not respond to the three-day regimen received a single dose of the drug endotracheally and both recovered completely. Six patients did not require completion of three day regimen for radiological recovery. Chest x-ray scores and respiratory parameters showed significant improvement after the treatment. The respective median (range) values before and after treatment were 4 (1-5) and 0 (0-4) points for chest x-ray scores, 66 (60-78) and 49 (44-64) breaths/min for respiratory rates, and 45% (35-64) and 30% (21-40) for oxygen requirement. Comparison of pCO(2) before (median, 56 mm Hg; range, 46-64) and after treatment (median, 41 mm Hg; range 38-58) in 7 patients showed significant improvement.
Conclusion: In a large series of newborns to receive rhDNase and we demonstrated the usefulness of rhDNase as a mucolytic agent in treating newborns with persistent atelectasis who do not respond to other treatments.