Calfactant vs Poractant Alfa Using a Less Invasive Technique in Preterm Infants With Respiratory Distress Syndrome

April 27, 2026 updated by: Salih Çağrı Çakır, Uludag University

Comparison of the Efficacy of Calfactant and Poractant Alfa Surfactants Administered by a Less Invasive Surfactant Administration Technique in Preterm Infants With Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common cause of respiratory failure in preterm infants and is frequently treated with surfactant therapy. With the increasing use of noninvasive ventilation, less invasive methods of surfactant administration have been developed. In the technique known as Less Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA), surfactant is delivered into the trachea through a thin catheter, without the need for endotracheal intubation. This approach may reduce lung injury and improve respiratory outcomes in spontaneously breathing preterm infants. This multicenter, prospective, randomized study aims to compare the clinical effectiveness of poractant alfa and calfactant when administered using the LISA technique in preterm infants born at less than 30 weeks' gestation with RDS who are not intubated. The study will evaluate short-term outcomes, including the need for intubation, repeat surfactant administration, and respiratory support during the first 72 hours of life, as well as longer-term outcomes such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and other neonatal morbidities.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) remains one of the leading causes of respiratory failure in preterm infants. Surfactant replacement therapy is a cornerstone of RDS management; however, traditional administration through endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation may contribute to ventilator-induced lung injury and increase the risk of adverse pulmonary outcomes. With the widespread adoption of non-invasive respiratory support strategies, less-invasive approaches to surfactant administration have gained increasing attention.

Less Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA) is a technique in which surfactant is delivered directly into the trachea via a thin catheter under direct laryngoscopic visualization. At the same time, the infant continues to breathe spontaneously on noninvasive respiratory support. This method avoids endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation and has been associated with reduced need for invasive ventilation and improved respiratory outcomes in preterm infants.

Several surfactant preparations are currently used in neonatal practice. Poractant alfa and calfactant are two commonly administered natural surfactants with differing biochemical composition and dosing characteristics. Although both agents are widely used for the treatment of RDS, data directly comparing their effectiveness when administered via the LISA technique are limited.

This multicenter, prospective, randomized study is designed to compare the clinical efficacy of poractant alfa and calfactant administered using the LISA technique in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Eligible participants will be preterm infants born at less than 30 weeks' gestation, diagnosed with RDS based on clinical and radiographic criteria, who are spontaneously breathing and receiving noninvasive respiratory support without prior endotracheal intubation.

After enrollment, infants will be randomly assigned to receive either poractant alfa or calfactant via the LISA method. In both groups, surfactant will be administered through a thin catheter inserted into the trachea under direct laryngoscopic visualization while maintaining spontaneous breathing and noninvasive respiratory support. Standard neonatal intensive care practices will be applied throughout the study period in all participating centers.

The primary focus of the study is to compare short-term respiratory outcomes between the two treatment groups. These include the need for endotracheal intubation, the requirement for repeat surfactant administration, and the level and duration of respiratory support within the first 72 hours of life. Secondary outcomes include longer-term clinical outcomes such as the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age, as well as other neonatal morbidities, including intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and overall survival to discharge.

By directly comparing poractant alfa and calfactant administered via the LISA technique in a randomized, multicenter setting, this study aims to provide evidence on the optimal surfactant choice for less invasive treatment of RDS in very preterm infants. The findings are expected to inform clinical practice and contribute to the improvement of respiratory management strategies.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

234

Phase

  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Recruiting
        • Bursa City Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Erbu Yarcı, Associate professor
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Bayram Ali Dorum, Associate professor
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Birgül Mutlu, Neonatologist
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Betül Türen, Pediatrician
      • Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Recruiting
        • Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Bursa Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine
        • Contact:
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Fatma Nirgül Köksal, Professor
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Hilal Özkan, Professor
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Cansu Sivrikaya Yıldırım, Neonatologist
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Funda Aydemir, Pediatrician
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Enes İn, Pediatrician
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Salih Çağrı Çakır, Associate professor
      • Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Recruiting
        • Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences Bursa Yuksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • İpek Güney Varal, Professor
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Gaffari Tunç, Associate professor
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Onur Bağcı, Neonatologist
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Aybüke Yazıcı, Associate professor
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Ayşe Ören, Pediatrician
      • Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Recruiting
        • Dörtçelik Children's Diseases Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Fatma İrioğlu, Neonatologist
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Kevser Elmas Üstün, Neonatologist
      • Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Recruiting
        • Medicana Bursa Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Şerif Hamitoğlu

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Born at a participating study center hospital.
  • Gestational age between 24 1/7 and 29 6/7 weeks (<30 0/7 weeks).
  • Postnatal age within the first 6 hours of life.
  • Being on non-invasive respiratory support.
  • Presence of clinical and radiological findings consistent with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
  • Indication for surfactant therapy defined as a requirement for FiO₂ >30% to achieve target oxygen saturation (SpO₂ 90-94%) while receiving noninvasive respiratory support with a minimum pressure of 6 cmH₂O.
  • Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Infants who were intubated for any reason before the decision to administer surfactant.
  • Severe birth asphyxia, defined as the need for advanced resuscitation after birth, 10th minute Apgar score ≤5, and arterial blood gas within the first hour of life showing pH <7.0 and base excess (BE) ≤-12.
  • Presence of major congenital anomalies.
  • Respiratory distress due to causes other than respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
  • Congenital heart disease.
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
  • Pulmonary hypoplasia.
  • Chromosomal abnormalities.
  • Presence of pneumothorax.
  • Lack of informed consent.
  • Neonatal seizures presence.
  • Postnatal age greater than 6 hours.
  • Infants born outside of gestational weeks 24 1/7 - 29 6/7.
  • Requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation at enrollment.
  • Infants receiving noninvasive respiratory support with an FiO₂ requirement <0.30.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Poractant alfa (LISA)
Preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) will receive poractant alfa via the Less Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA) technique while on noninvasive respiratory support.
Drug: Poractant alfa
Poractant alfa will be administered using the Less Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA) technique. A thin catheter will be inserted into the trachea under direct laryngoscopic visualization, without the need for endotracheal intubation, while the infant continues to breathe spontaneously on noninvasive respiratory support. Dosing and administration will follow standard clinical guidelines. (200 mg/kg initial dose, 100 mg/kg repeat dose)
Active Comparator: Calfactant (LISA)
Preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) will receive calfactant via the Less Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA) technique while on noninvasive respiratory support.
Drug: Calfactant
Calfactant will be administered using the Less Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA) technique. A thin catheter will be inserted into the trachea under direct laryngoscopic visualization, without the need for endotracheal intubation, while the infant continues to breathe spontaneously on noninvasive respiratory support. Dosing and administration will follow standard clinical guidelines. (100 mg/kg initial and repeat dose)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Need for endotracheal intubation within the first 72 hours of life
Time Frame: Up to 72 hours after birth.
The need for endotracheal intubation within the first 72 hours of life in preterm infants born at 24 1/7-29 6/7 weeks' gestation receiving calfactant or poractant alfa via LISA.
Up to 72 hours after birth.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Need for Repeat Surfactant Administration
Time Frame: Up to 72 hours after birth.
The requirement for repeat doses of surfactant after the initial LISA procedure in preterm infants treated with calfactant or poractant alfa.
Up to 72 hours after birth.
Adverse Events During Surfactant Administration
Time Frame: During the surfactant administration and up to 72 hours after birth.
The occurrence of adverse events during surfactant administration via LISA, including apnea, bradycardia, oxygen desaturation, surfactant reflux, coughing, laryngospasm, and vomiting.
During the surfactant administration and up to 72 hours after birth.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Time Frame: At 36 weeks' postmenstrual age or discharge, whichever occurred first.
The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age in preterm infants receiving calfactant or poractant alfa via LISA.
At 36 weeks' postmenstrual age or discharge, whichever occurred first.
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Time Frame: From birth until discharge, assessed up to 44 weeks' postmenstrual age.
The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants receiving calfactant or poractant alfa via LISA.
From birth until discharge, assessed up to 44 weeks' postmenstrual age.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Time Frame: From birth until the date of the first documented patent ductus arteriosus requiring medical or surgical treatment or the date of hospital discharge, whichever came first, assessed up to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age.
The incidence of patent ductus arteriosus requiring medical or surgical treatment in preterm infants treated with calfactant or poractant alfa via LISA.
From birth until the date of the first documented patent ductus arteriosus requiring medical or surgical treatment or the date of hospital discharge, whichever came first, assessed up to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age.
Air Leak Syndromes
Time Frame: Up to 7 days after birth.
The occurrence of air leak syndromes (including pneumothorax, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, and pneumomediastinum) in preterm infants receiving calfactant or poractant alfa via LISA.
Up to 7 days after birth.
Duration of Respiratory Support
Time Frame: From birth until discontinuation of respiratory support or discharge, whichever occurs first. (Through study completion, an average of 1 year.)
Total duration of invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation.
From birth until discontinuation of respiratory support or discharge, whichever occurs first. (Through study completion, an average of 1 year.)
Length of Hospital Stay
Time Frame: From birth until discharge. (Through study completion, an average of 1 year.)
Length of hospital stay in days for preterm infants treated with calfactant or poractant alfa via LISA.
From birth until discharge. (Through study completion, an average of 1 year.)
Mortality
Time Frame: From the date of randomization until the date of death from any cause or the date of discharge, whichever came first. (Through study completion, an average of 1 year.)
All-cause mortality before hospital discharge.
From the date of randomization until the date of death from any cause or the date of discharge, whichever came first. (Through study completion, an average of 1 year.)
Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Time Frame: Up to the 7th day after birth.
The incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants receiving calfactant or poractant alfa via LISA.
Up to the 7th day after birth.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Time Frame: From birth until the date of the first documented necrotizing enterocolitis or the date of discharge, whichever came first, assessed up to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age.
The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants receiving calfactant or poractant alfa via LISA.
From birth until the date of the first documented necrotizing enterocolitis or the date of discharge, whichever came first, assessed up to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Uludag University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 20, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

February 20, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

February 20, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 13, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 15, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

January 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 27, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2025-20/9

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

I am not authorized to share patient data.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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