Budesonide plus surfactant was linked to better breathing outcomes in newborns
A pooled review reported less bronchopulmonary dysplasia and shorter ventilation and hospital stays. Its findings leave uncertainty about safety.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review found that adding budesonide to surfactant was associated with less bronchopulmonary dysplasia and shorter periods of invasive ventilation and hospitalization. These findings concern newborns treated for respiratory distress. The absence of statistically significant differences in mortality and several complications does not establish equivalent safety or rule out harm.
The abstract does not describe study designs, sample sizes, follow-up periods or study quality. Its claim of clinical safety is stronger than nonsignificant complication results can establish.
What researchers found
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia occurrence
Relative risk with budesonide plus surfactant compared with surfactant alone; assessment timeframe unreported. This compares risks between groups; baseline risks and the absolute difference are unavailable.
What the review examined
Researchers assessed whether adding budesonide to pulmonary surfactant improved outcomes in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. They pooled results covering breathing support, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, hospital stay and complications, and also examined administration routes.
Interpreting the complication results
Mortality and several complications showed no statistically significant group differences. Patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary hemorrhage were reported more often in controls. This abstract-based explanation cannot establish how confidently uncommon harms were excluded.
The original publication
Comparative Efficacy and Safety Profile of the Combination of Pulmonary Surfactant and Budesonide vs. Surfactant Alone in the Management of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome: An Updated Meta-Analysis.
Fatima U, Naveed N, Riaz Z et al.
Medicina (Kaunas) · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40870374
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.