Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy was found to be effective, especially in term and near-term infants with severe hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of iNO in newborns with HRF. A total of 21 infants who received iNO were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups; group I consisted of 12 babies with gestational age <34 weeks. Infants with gestational age ≥34 weeks (n:9) formed group II. Both groups were assessed for respiratory functions, ventilatory settings, duration of hospitalization and survival rates. The number of babies who responded to iNO therapy in groups I and II were 4 (33.3%) and 8 (88.9%), respectively. All babies who responded to iNO therapy in group I survived. However, three responder babies in group II and all non-responders died. The causes of death were mainly related to complications of extreme prematurity, sepsis and respiratory distress syndrome. While mean oxygenation index, the mean airway pressure, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide, and fraction of inspired oxygen dropped, the mean oxygen saturation, partial pressure of arterial oxygen, and pH increased in the responder babies. After iNO therapy, pH was significantly higher in group I and the mean airway pressure and mean partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide were significantly lower in group II (p=0.046, p=0.021 ve p=0.028, respectively). Although more favorable outcomes were obtained in babies with gestational age ≥34 weeks, iNO therapy may improve systemic oxygenation rapidly and consistently in some of smaller infants with hypoxic respiratory failure.

Keywords: inhale nitrik oksit tedavisi, yenidoğan bebek, hipoksik solunum yetmezliği, nitric oxide inhalation therapy, newborn infant, hypoxic respiratory failure