Echography-guided Surfactant THERapy (ESTHER) For Preterm Infants With Respiratory Failure

Launched by CONNECTICUT CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER · Jun 5, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The ESTHER clinical trial is studying a new way to help premature infants who are having trouble breathing due to a condition called respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Researchers want to see if using a special type of ultrasound, done right at the bedside, can help doctors decide when to give a treatment called surfactant, which helps the lungs work better. By using ultrasound to check how severe a baby’s breathing issues are, the goal is to start surfactant therapy earlier and improve the babies' breathing quickly.

To be eligible for this study, infants must be born between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy and need help breathing. Their parents or guardians must be able to understand and agree to participate in the study. Unfortunately, some infants won't be able to join, such as those who are already receiving certain treatments or who have specific health conditions. If a baby is eligible, their family can expect to participate in a study that may help improve care for future premature infants with similar breathing problems.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • The infant's parent/legal guardian can understand and willingly sign a written informed consent document for this study
• • Birth gestational age between 27w0d-36w6d
• • Diagnosis of respiratory failure secondary to RDS requiring respiratory support with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Unable to obtain lung ultrasound between 1-2 hours of life
• • Infants already intubated or received surfactant before the point of care lung ultrasound
• • Infants born with congenital cardiac disease, congenital lung disease, or congenital facial/airway malformations
• • Infants born with chromosomal abnormalities
• • Infants with APGARs ≤ 5 at 10 minutes of life
• • Infants requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation or therapeutic hypothermia in the first 6 hours of life