Inhaled nitric oxide in preterm infants with respiratory disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been shown to be effective in term and near-term infants with specific respiratory diseases. The effects and potential risks of iNO differ substantially in preterm infants with special pathophysiology. Specific study in this population is necessary.

PURPOSE: To assess the short-term and long-term effects of iNO in preterm infants with respiratory diseases such as respiratory failure and respiratory distress syndrome.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies comparing iNO with placebo or blank control in preterm infants with respiratory diseases.Databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from their inception until May 2025. The primary outcomes were death before discharge, death at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and death or BPD.

RESULTS

Thirty-one trials met the inclusion criteria. iNO reduced the incidence of death or BPD (risk ratio [RR] 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88 to 0.99, 6 studies, 1954 infants) and BPD in the RCT subgroup (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.99, 8 studies, 2196 infants).Increases of oxygenation index (Standardized mean difference (SMD)  - 0.62, 95% CI - 0.81 to - 0.43, 2 studies, 441 infants) and Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) (SMD 0.68, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.87, 2 studies, 441 infants) of preterm infants at 5 ppm initial concentration were observed in the iNO group. The iNO group demonstrated a higher risk of retinopathy of prematurity (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.16, 17 studies, 7220 infants). No significant differences were observed in other neonatal morbidities or adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

iNO was associated with a reduced risk of death or BPD and a probably reduction of BPD. There was no effect on other morbidities or adverse events. Data on long-term respiratory and neurodevelopment outcomes are critically needed to further evaluate NO's efficacy in preterm infants, particularly Extremely low birth weight infants.