Role of Salbutamol in The Management of Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn: A Comparative Prospective Study

Objective: To compare the outcome of Salbutamol nebulization with normal saline (placebo) in transient tachypnea of the newborn. Study Design: Comparative prospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Neonatal Medicine, Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Jan 2017 to Mar 2018. Methodology: Sixty term neonates with respiratory rate >60 breaths/min and transient tachypnea of newborn score of ≥4 were enrolled. They were randomly allocated to two equal groups. Group-1 received Salbutamol nebulization (0.15 mg/kg) while Group-2 received normal Saline (placebo) nebulization. Results: The mean gestational age was 38.31±1.28 weeks, while the average birth weight was 2.97±0.27 kg. The mean change in transient tachypnea of newborn score with Salbutamol nebulization was 5.63±1.22, while 0.63±1.54 with normal Saline nebulization. Likewise, the mean change in respiratory rate with Salbutamol was 9.80±2.05, while -3.73±2.57 with normal saline. Conclusion: This study demonstrated nebulized Salbutamol as an effective tool in reversing transient tachypnea of newborns with decreasing respiratory rate compared to normal saline nebulization (placebo).