R F Soll1. 1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Vermont College of Medicine, A-121 Medical Alumni Building, Burlington, Vermont 05405-0068, USA. rsoll@salus.med.uvm.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of digoxin on clinical outcome in infants at risk of, or with, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). SEARCH STRATEGY: Searches were made of the Oxford Database of Perinatal Trials, Medline (MeSH terms: digoxin; limits: age groups, newborn infants; publication type, clinical trial), previous reviews including cross references, abstracts, conference and symposia proceedings, expert informants, and journal handsearching in the English language. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials of digoxin in either the prevention or treatment of respiratory distress syndrome are included in this overview. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data regarding clinical outcomes were excerpted from the trial reports by the reviewer. Data were analyzed according to the standards of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group. MAIN RESULTS: Two randomized controlled trials have studied the effects of digoxin in the prevention and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome. No improvement in respiratory status or mortality was noted. Meta-analysis of the effect of digoxin given to infants at risk of or with RDS on mortality does not suggest any benefit of digoxin treatment (typical relative risk 1.27 95% CI 0.78, 2.07; typical risk difference 0.06, 95% CI -0.06, 0.17). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Although hemodynamic disturbances play a role in the overall pathogenesis of respiratory distress syndrome, the specific contribution of early congestive heart failure (unrelated to hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus) does not appear to be a significant factor in RDS. Treatment with digoxin has no proven value in infants solely affected with respiratory distress syndrome.
BACKGROUND: This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of digoxin on clinical outcome in infants at risk of, or with, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). SEARCH STRATEGY: Searches were made of the Oxford Database of Perinatal Trials, Medline (MeSH terms: digoxin; limits: age groups, newborn infants; publication type, clinical trial), previous reviews including cross references, abstracts, conference and symposia proceedings, expert informants, and journal handsearching in the English language. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials of digoxin in either the prevention or treatment of respiratory distress syndrome are included in this overview. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data regarding clinical outcomes were excerpted from the trial reports by the reviewer. Data were analyzed according to the standards of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group. MAIN RESULTS: Two randomized controlled trials have studied the effects of digoxin in the prevention and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome. No improvement in respiratory status or mortality was noted. Meta-analysis of the effect of digoxin given to infants at risk of or with RDS on mortality does not suggest any benefit of digoxin treatment (typical relative risk 1.27 95% CI 0.78, 2.07; typical risk difference 0.06, 95% CI -0.06, 0.17). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Although hemodynamic disturbances play a role in the overall pathogenesis of respiratory distress syndrome, the specific contribution of early congestive heart failure (unrelated to hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus) does not appear to be a significant factor in RDS. Treatment with digoxin has no proven value in infants solely affected with respiratory distress syndrome.