Aim To investigate whether neurodevelopmental outcome at age one year might be different after early versus late rescue surfactant treatment in preterm infants.

Methods In 54 preterm infants, having gestational age between 25–30 weeks who were enrolled in a controlled trial of early versus late selective surfactant treatment (45 vs. 70 min respectively), a standardized follow up of medical history, neurodevelopmental outcome using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Second Edition at 9–12 months corrected age.scales were carried out.

Results Median Mental developmental index (MDI) score was 107 for early group and 111 for late group. Median Psychomotor developmental index (PDI) score was 82 for early group and 93 for late group. Although median MDI and PDI scores were slightly higher in late poractant treatment group and neurodevelopmental impairment was higher in early rescue group than the late rescue group, this was not statistically significant.

Conclusion Our results demostrated that both early and late poractant treatment had similiar effects on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants with RDS. In terms of neurodevelopmental outcomes there is no obvious advantage of an immediate surfactant administration in preterm infants according to our results.