To explore the efficacy of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) combined with pulmonary surfactant (PS) and intravenous drip large dose of ambroxol hydrochloride to treat neonatal hyaline membrane disease (HMD).

From September 2007 to March 2010, 68 neonates with neonatal hyaline membrane disease were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into treatment group (n=34) and control group (n=34) on the base of same combined therapy between two groups. Treatment group used nasal continuous positive airway pressure combined with pulmonary surfactant (100 mg/kg, dripped through trachea) and large dose ambroxol hydrochloride [30 mg/(kg • d) + 10% glucose and saline (GS)10 mL, intravenous drip, for four times]. Control group used same treatment except ambroxol hydrochloride. The clinical symptom before and after treatment, chest X-radiography, nasal continuous positive airway pressure machine parameters, blood gases, transcutaneous oxygen saturation (TcSo₂), complications, length of stay of two groups were observed. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Investigation in Human Being of The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University. Informed consent was obtained from the parents of each participating neonate. There were no significance of sexuality, gestational age, mode of delivery, Apgar score, birth weight, day ages onset time and chest X-ray classification of neonates between two groups (P>0.05).

The clinical symptoms and signs chest X-radiograph, nasal continuous positive airway pressure machine parameters, arterial blood gas indicators, transcutaneous oxygen saturation, complications and length of hospital stay in treatment group improved more significantly than those in control group (P<0.05).

The efficacy of nasal continuous positive airway pressure combined with pulmonary surfactant and intravenous drip large dose ambroxol hydrochloride to treat neonatal hyaline membrane disease is remarkable.